Small Business Funding

A first-of-its-kind program in Arkansas is moving forward in Washington County. The program aims to address jail overcrowding while helping non-violent offenders get back on their feet. County leaders are planning for the home of the former Crisis Stabilization Unit to soon serve as home of the Community Rebuilding Initiative. A residential facility that would help certain inmates become equipped to succeed in life and not end up back in jail.In just a few short months, the empty rooms inside of the old CSU could once again be occupied. Washington County received more than $355,000 in federal grant money through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for a residential substance abuse treatment program. It will focus on rehabilitation, skill development, and community reintegration. For the head of the non-profit prison ministry, Returning Home NWA, being part of the mission is deeply personal. “I ended up serving seven-and-a-half years in prison when I was in Iowa,” chief executive officer Nick Robbins said. “And, I was very blessed that a non-profit came in and started investing in my life. And, shared hope with me that I had never had in my entire life. And ultimately, that gave me a vision of a future of helping other people.”For the time being, only male inmates are eligible. They must be facing non-violent and non-sexual charges. Eligible inmates must also have a bond of $10,000 or less and be willing to follow the program’s rules. Approval from the prosecutor’s office is an additional requirement. “What were seeing is individuals, countless number of times, interacting with law enforcement and going back to our facility,” Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins said. “Im talking we have people that are 100-plus times that have been within our Washington County Detention Center. What that tells us is theres something there thats not working.An initiative of this magnitude requires almost everything you can think of to make it happen, including a fully-functioning kitchen like the one in the proposed facility.”Would you rather be sitting on the floor in the jail or would you rather have opportunities?” Robbins said. “People coming in and investing in you.”Up to thirty-two men can be housed at one time and the length of their stay will vary, depending on the person. The pilot program will run from May until September, although there is the potential to expand it beyond that timeframe.”What this is going to do is its going to give us a lot of data and a lot of ideas about where we go from here,” Deakins said. “What kind of initiatives work and what they dont. This will be the first type of this type of program in the state.”The initiative doesn’t excuse an inmate from sentencing, but it will be determined ahead of time that the sentencing will not involve jail time.”This is basically a sophisticated extension of the county jail and so, the sheriff still oversees this facility,” Deakins said.”I understand the value of it because Ive felt it,” Robbins said.The next major step is the county formally accepting the funding for the project next month. The hope is that the initiative will serve as an example for other counties in the state going forward.