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Jail reports steady MOUD enrollment, multiple reentry and training program graduations
Summary
Facility leaders reported 171 people on medications for opioid use disorder (about 16% of the population), several training academy graduations, and multiple reentry program completions including First Step, New Leash on Life and Inside-Out Prison Exchange.
At the Sept. 9 Delaware County Jail Oversight Board meeting, facility officials reported program and training updates that included steady enrollment in medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), recent academy graduations, and reentry program milestones.
Chief Deputy Wharton Bonds told the board that as of Sept. 9 there were 171 patients engaged in MOUD, which he said represents “approximately 16 percent of our population.” The facility’s total incarcerated population that day was reported as 1,069 — a decrease of 20 from the prior month.
The training academy hosted two graduations since the last meeting, and a new cadet class (Class 825a) began Aug. 18; the next graduation for that class was scheduled for Sept. 26. Bonds said the facility continues to recruit but that attrition outpaces hires on the security side.
Program and support staff reported a first-cohort graduation of the Branching Out gardening program, which included hands-on training and a planned certification from Temple University and a tree-tender certification to follow. The second Branching Out cohort will run Nov. 3–Jan. 30.
Reentry services staff reported a cohort 29 First Step graduation with 12 sign-ups and said 131 participants to date have completed the program; the office said it is 19 completions short of the Pathway Home grant benchmark of 150 but expects to meet that benchmark within two months. EDSI delivered a 40-hour customer-service credential to 10 participants that carries an official Pennsylvania state credential. New Leash on Life USA completed its second cohort: 10 of 12 participants completed the program, six shelter dogs were adopted, and several participants received early parole or internship placement.
The Inside Out Prison Exchange college-level course resumed with Penn State Brandywine instructors; officials said 12 incarcerated learners and 11 Penn State students will meet weekly for 13 weeks.
Reentry staff additionally reported high tablet-based learning activity (2,503 courses completed in August) and that two on-site drug-and-alcohol liaisons released 78 people to inpatient treatment — the highest monthly number in 27 months.
Ending — Staff said program enrollments and training activity will continue and that the board will receive monthly updates on MOUD enrollment, training academy graduations and reentry program outcomes.
