Case management’s role is to guide an inmate during their incarceration to gain the tools needed for a successful re-entry as a productive member of society. A primary function of case management is to mentor, teach, and prepare inmates for success, address their criminogenic needs, and utilize all the tools provided by the Department of Corrections to assist the inmate in making positive life changes. Case Managers help inmates make healthier life choices and navigate through challenges. A crucial part of this guidance is to help inmates change any anti-social thinking patterns by addressing their criminogenic needs and barriers through the CTAP (Colorado Transitional Accountability Plan) assessments and case planning.
- Basic Overview of Case Management
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- Case Managers direct inmates in their adjustment to an incarcerated setting and assist them in pre-release planning while maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and offenders.
- Manage inmate cases from intake to prerelease planning to ensure court ordered programs and conditions are met prior to release (continuity of care).
- Deliver case management services within assigned facility that targets criminogenic needs through risk/needs assessments, case planning, and cognitive interventions.
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Case Managers will collaborate with multiple areas within the facility by meeting with each individual on their caseload and ensuring that the inmate's goals, needs, and objectives are identified and addressed by the inmate while incarcerated to promote a ripple effect in the changing process of a negative mindset.
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Case managers help guide inmates in the parole and community application process. The parole sponsor(s) is discussed, if no sponsor, alternatives to homelessness through transition housing, sober living or faith-based programs.
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Assist the inmate in finding employment; to reach out to apprenticeship programs and agencies that can help with special equipment and clothing.
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When needed work with the inmate to obtain their Colorado State ID, birth certificate, and Social Security card.
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While incarcerated the case manager guides the inmate to complete the appropriate substance abuse program along with education and CTE programs that will enhance their ability to overcome addiction and find meaningful employment.
- Role of Case Managers
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- Prepare inmates for a successful reentry back into the community.
- Coordinate programming based on inmate needs, determine earned time grants, develop parole plans, develop community corrections referrals, develop ISP-I referrals .
- Act as the primary contact and source of information for facility administration, central administration, the Parole Board, Community Corrections, outside agencies, attorneys, families, victims, and inmates.
- Collect and evaluate information to determine custody levels and programming needs, monitors and documents inmate behaviors.
- Case Managers apply Evidence Based Practices (via CTAP/Case Planning) that assist in targeting an inmate's specific criminogenic needs, develops individual case planning through completion of assessments.
- Utilizing motivational interviewing and cognitive based interventions, and case planning that is in alignment with Colorado Transitional Accountability Plan (CTAP).
- Assist inmates with linking to programs and services within the facility that address critical needs, such as, vocational, educational, medical or mental health issues, substance abuse, cognitive behavioral, offense specific treatment, etc. Each area requires an integrated case management team approach that utilizes multidisciplinary staffing models and offender buy-in to help develop and carry out inmate case plans.
- Protect the safety of staff, public and inmates through the direct one-on-one contact on a continuous basis to assess behavioral patterns and attempt to direct the inmate through required programming, employment, self-improvement enhancements.
- Attempt to resolve daily challenges arising due to incarceration of the inmate.
- Maintain the working case file in an up to date and concise format.
- Working as a liaison between Administration, Medical, Mental Health staff and inmates.
- To determine the inmates’ ability to progress to a less restrictive environment, including community corrections and/or ISP-I.
- Be members of classification, disciplinary and employment boards to place inmates at levels as to their abilities and current status (Classification Status/Eligibility Requirements).