Alternatives to Incarceration
Photo Courtesy of: Clara Vannucci
Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) , STEPS’ first program, was founded in 1986 and is currently run by a small interdisciplinary team of social workers, advocates, and lawyers. We take on 80 new cases each year – 50 felony and 30 misdemeanor level – where defendants are victims of domestic violence and have an open criminal case related to their histories of abuse. We provide clinical, legal, advocacy, and case management services for our clients who range in age from 17 to 75, in all five boroughs. Upon intake, all clients are assigned an Advocate-Counselor who will work with them to develop a treatment plan that best meets their needs.
We work closely with the courts and the client’s attorney. We accompany clients to court and monitor their progress, providing compliance reports as requested. Charges have been reduced or dismissed in 85% to 90% of our cases.
The program is free of charge and provides services in English and Spanish. We work with clients in our East Harlem or Brooklyn offices, in the field, at Court and at Rose M. Singer Center, the woman’s jail at Riker’s Island.
ELIGIBILITY & INTAKE
Eligible ATI clients have:
- A history of domestic violence or sexual abuse as an adult or in childhood
- Been arrested on criminal charges related to this abuse
- A willingness to participate in the program a minimum of 4 months for misdemeanor cases and 6 months for felony cases.
The ATI intake process includes a preliminary assessment (by phone or in person) and a screening interview (in person) which can be conducted at our offices in East Harlem or Brooklyn, at Court, on Riker’s Island or at a referring agency.
If a client is not accepted into the STEPS ATI program the client and the referring agency are notified. The client is referred to appropriate STEPS domestic violence programs or other services in the community.
Follow the links provided, below, to read about our Riker’s-based work:
- New York Daily News published article regarding Holiday festivities to benefit the women on Riker’s Island
- New York Daily News published article regarding the work a former STEPS Intern (now a volunteer), who developed a book drive to benefit the women on Riker’s Island
- Queens Tribune Online article, “Women Behind Bars Get Hope From Books”
http://www.queenstribune.com/news/News_081111_WomenBehindBars.html
ATI PROGRAM SERVICES
STEPS Re-Entry Project
In the Fall of 2010, funded through a grant from the NYC Council, STEPS to End Family Violence launched a re-entry project to support and empower women as they re-establish themselves and pursue housing, education, and job goals after being released from prison or jail. Our founder, Sr. Mary Nerney, has joined us as a Consultant to lead this initiative. Joined by Re-entry Specialist, Sharon Richardson and MSW Intern, Ered Massie, the Re-Entry Project works to support the emotional and social needs of our clients through individual and group counseling, and planned social activities.
As part of this initiative, we have recently launched a Jewelry Design and Entrepreneurship Project with the generous support of local jewelry designer Jennifer Monzon of Hunter-NY, jewelry supply wholesaler Metalliferous, and the White Plains Chapter of Friends Outside.
Our first design seminar was on April 28th, where the participants learned necklace and bracelet making techniques and created beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces. In the next few weeks, we will be visiting the Museum of Arts and Design to view several jewelry exhibits and will hold our second jewelry making seminar.
To view a brief video on our Re-entry Project Project work clink on the link: http://vimeo.com/25263123
OR
To see pieces of the jewelry created at the workshop, please visit: http://hunter-ny.tumblr.com
ATI CLINICAL SERVICES
Individual Counseling: Short term individual domestic violence and supportive counseling is available to address issues in greater depth as well as to assist with additional referrals or safety planning as needed.
Legal Advocacy: Based on initial legal needs assessment, individual treatment plans may include court and legal advocacy for client’s who have collateral legal issues related to their history of abuse including Family Court matters, immigration issues and housing concerns.
Groups: We provide weekly day and evening groups at our East Harlem and Brooklyn offices and at Rose M. Singer Center on Riker’s Island. Our group curricula are proprietary to STEPS and have been developed and refined over the past 24 years. Clients who attend 10 out of 12 group sessions receive a Certificate of Completion which is recognized by the Courts. Return carfare is provided as are snacks. A limited number of childcare spots are also available. Groups are available in English and Spanish depending on need.
Domestic Violence Services at Riker’s Island (Rose M. Singer Center)
ATI counselors travel to Rose M. Singer Center, the women’s prison on Riker’s Island, to work with incarcerated clients on an almost daily basis. In addition to facilitating two events for women incarcerated here – a Holiday Party in December with family members and a Mother’s Day Celebration in May, ATI conducts ongoing domestic violence programming at Rose M. Singer. This includes twice weekly domestic violence education and support groups (Monday and Thursdays starting at 12:30 p.m.) for the general population, an evening Trauma Seminar on alternate Tuesdays as well as special groups in the Mental Observation Units and Protective Custody housing areas.
Women are referred to participate in these groups by word of mouth, via a partnership with the New York City Department of Health which identifies women who have experienced intimate partner violence at intake, other service providers at Riker’s or because they are existing ATI clients.