Last Friday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office initiated a program targeting former prison inmates. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance to help those recently released from prison to transition back into society.

Col. Jim Previtera stated that the program uses counselors to match the former inmates with resources already in existence. “We act as a bridge to those resources.” After learning about the program nearly two years ago, Sheriff David Gee became interested in instituting it in Hillsborough County.

Col. Previtera said he visited Jacksonville and observed the manner in which that program was conducted. He then returned home with ideas, but also had to be aware of budget restraints. He was able to have some personnel reassigned and found existing housing for the program.

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He stated they also waited to see if Governor Rick Scott and Edwin Buss, the new Secretary of the Department of Corrections, would embrace the program. After receiving their approval, the next step was to work within the budget restraints.

In March, the Hillsborough Re-Entry Center came into existence. Col. Previtera said the program would reduced the number of former inmates who return to jail and reduce the number of victims.

In October 2010, the Sheriff’s Office began receiving inmates from the Polk County Correctional Facility in Polk City. Since that time, more than 100 people have voluntarily been processed through the center. Of that number, only 8 individuals have re-offended, which is well below the average, he said.

“Several years ago, Rev. Abe Brown had this vision, but he didn’t have a government agency that would undertake it. It is not costing any additional money because all we are doing is serving as a bridge between the ex-inmates and the resources that are available.”[/private]