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‘Re-entry’ program for inmates in the works
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Posted on Jul 15 2021
The Northern Marianas Technical Institute and Department of Corrections are working on a memorandum of agreement right now that would create a “re-entry program” for DOC inmates, where DOC participants could learn a trade and thus more easily find a job and re-enter society once they get out of prison.
NMTI interim chief executive officer Jodina Attao said she is still in the process of drafting the MoA with the help of DOC’s legal counsel. She said Monday that they are also working closely to determine which inmates would be eligible for the future “re-entry program.”
Attao mentioned the possibility of those on parole and/or probation being eligible for the program, but was unable to provide any further or definite details on Monday. Attao also shared that she last met with the DOC leadership on June 28, and hopes to finish a draft of the agreement by July 29.
Attao said she wants to ”flip the script” on the public’s perceptions of those within and released from the DOC, and hopes that the future program will leave participants with valuable skills.
“I want them to feel like they’re a part of the community. …Instead of focusing on all the negative attributes, we want to try to flip that script and make [the re-entry program] worth their time, so that they can become productive citizens afterwards,” said Attao.
