“Prisoners, particularly offenders of color, generally have poorer health than the general populations.”
Funded by the Multi Cultural Department of the MN Department of Health, HELP is intended to address health disparities among offenders of color. The goal of HELP is identify HIV positive and Hepatitis C positive inmates being released in Hennepin and Ramsey County.
Two components comprise the work of HELP: Health Education and Advocacy. Ten week courses at Lino Lakes and Rush City are conducted on topics that include sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, Hepatitis C, other health disparities, violence and relationships. Case Advocates offer case advocacy services to pre and post-release, HIV positive and Hepatitis C positive inmates of color, and women of color who are at risk. Services include housing planning, employment, health management, incentives, one-on-one counseling, transportation, and disease/pregnancy prevention products.
Theory of Change
If you educate inmates of color about behaviors related to HIV/STDs/Hepatitis C transmission, and other health disparities including violence and relationship building, and provide advocacy, or basic life needs, then participants will develop knowledge and skills necessary to reduce recidivism and maintain and manage their health.
Partners
The Council on Crime and Justice defines “partnership” as a formal or informal collaborative relationship with another non-profit organization, governmental agency, or individual. We also consider our funders and of course our Board of Directors to be important partners.
• Southside Community Clinic
• Freemont Clinic
• MN Department of Corrections
• Minnesota Department of Health, office of Minority & Multicultural Health
• MN HIV Services Planning Council
Evaluation
In the short-term, HELP will increase knowledge about serious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, diabetes, cardiovascular disease. This will be measured by pre-post questionnaires given to class participants at the first and last session respectively. For the long term outcome, which is to reduce risk behaviors and promote healthy lifestyles among class participants once they are released from prison. Follow-up interviews will be conducted with sample of class participants within three months of release from prison to measure this outcome. For the advocacy component, follow-up interviews will be conducted with Project participants at six months and twelve months after completing their participation in the Project to measure both long and short term outcomes (mentioned under).
See the Critically Acclaimed Guthrie production of :
The Invisible Children:
Building Community Support for
Children of Incarcerated Parents
7-29-2010 MPR Morning Edition
President Pam Alexander speaks on Minnesota Public Radio about recent legislative actions aimed at reducing crack vs. cocaine sentencing disparities.
Learn about the process to seal a criminal record in Minnesota
Help Crime Victims!
Volunteer as a crime victim advocate on the Council's 24 hour crisis hotline. You can work at home or in our offices. Flexible schedules.
The next Volunteer Crime Victim Hotline Trainings are:
Contact us at 612-353-3045
In 2001 the Council provided services to 10,000 clients, Racial Disparity Initiative staff presented over 100 hours and met with 100 different individuals and 44 different agencies.
