NDCS inmate talks success & struggles of reentry program

About a year ago, NDCS published their reentry workbook and guide which provides resources that will allow inmates to enter back into the community with a realistic plan and expectations.

“Over the course of three years, about two thirds of our population turns over so we have a lot of people that come for not too long of a time and I want them thinking about that return to the community every single day they’re with us,” says Corrections Director Scott Frakes.

A year after the release of the workbook, Frakes says they’ve seen lots of positive response.

Current inmate Ryan Leiting says it has kept him focused while serving his sentence.

“I get released on December 19 of this year and it really helped me get focused on the future instead of get focused on the past. In the department of corrections there’s a lot of negativity. So what this did is it took my mind off the negativity and made me more focused towards a better life for myself and my children,” says Leiting, who is currently at the Community Corrections Center of Lincoln.

He says the workbook is a huge resource of good for inmates, but it doesn’t work on its own. Prisoners like himself need to be motivated and willing to work for the change.

“It’s really up to the person is the bottom line, you know and what they want to do and where they want to go in their life and if they want to break that cycle for their family you know,” he says.

Leiting now has a realistic plan for when he is released. However, he says the program isn’t perfect.

Some opportunities Leiting wished to pursue within the workbook could not be fulfilled due to under staffing and temporary inmate lock downs while he was housed at the state penitentiary. But, he still credits the program.

“Sometimes you see negativity on the news too but there’s also a lot of positive sides to the prison system and this is one of them,” Leiting says about the workbook.

Director Frakes says despite the issues NDCS is facing, he’s proud of the progress.

“If you look at the scope the depth of what were doing, its pretty amazing especially when you weigh it against the fact that we’re full and we are facing some staffing issues that were working to address across our system. We can always be better but I think we’re doing a pretty amazing job,” Frakes says.

Frakes also says the NDCS has seen an uptick in applications since offering bonuses and incentives for staffers.