Lessons Learned

We routinely measure and assess our performance against a set of key benchmarks, including those outlined in our current contract with the State DOC and the expectations set by the Legislature. In addition, we meet monthly to record and review lessons learned from our experience. Our mantra is that “we only know half of what we need to know”. This habit of planning, implementing, and reflecting on our performance allows us to continually refine, strengthen and improve our operations. And this practice enabled us to start up at a rapid pace while still meeting our of all key performance goals. At the same time, we are operating a brand new, untested enterprise and the knowledge and experience gained during our first year has equipped us to perform even better and serve many more high risk men with even better results in the years ahead.

Experiences and key observations revolve around the following:

• Enrolling highest risk people with willingness
  to change generates greatest benefits
• Significant rates of mental illness
• Men are frequent users of multiple systems

• Low literacy and education hinders employment success
• High rates of addiction and relapse are prime
  causes for release violations and return to prison
• A genuine community is the foundation for success

Read this and more in our Lessons Learned Handout.