Offender Re-Entry Program

The Public Defender’s Office established the Re-Entry Program in 2003 in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. The development, growth, and success of the Offender Re-Entry Program is attributable to this collaboration, along with significant support from St. Lucie County Children’s Services Council and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Community agencies, civic, church and business groups contribute resources to the Re-Entry Program which is committed to helping those who want to help themselves.

Re-Entry is a voluntary program designed to assist eligible inmates in the county jails to develop some of the basic skills essential to effectively reintegrate as a productive member of the community. A Re-Entry Specialist assists clients to develop an Individualized Re-Entry Plan based on the stated needs and goals of the client. Weekly classes are conducted in the jail to bring basic information and provide direction with such issues as: education; financial planning; job placement; parenting; health; family relationships; and, substance abuse.

St. Lucie County’s Re-Entry Program has introduced a modified Therapeutic Community approach to addiction and recovery. The goal is for clients to begin to increase their skills at recognizing the ways that their emotional and behavioral reactions have been nurtured to hold them captive in their addictive and criminal thinking. A daily schedule of classes, held within the inmates living quarters, provide comprehensive instruction for Relapse Prevention.Additionally supporting the Therapeutic Community participants is an instructor, available 20 hours per week, to assist with completing a GED. Peer Counselors, who have successfully completed the Program and have reintegrated into the community, are available for additional encouragement and support.

Offender Re-Entry Staff

Administration
Kristen O'Malley, Program Director

St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce
Colette St. Andre, Ph.D., St. Lucie County, Modified Therapeutic Community Coordinator
Valentina Liscio, Re-Entry Specialist
Rene'e Deschenes, Resource Specialist

Indian River County, Vero Beach
Dottie Greenage, Re-entry Specialist

Martin County, Stuart
Sean Bunker, Re-entry Specialist

Okeechobee County, Okeechobee
Rene'e Deschenes, Resource Specialist

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Contact Information

Kristen O'Malley
Offender Re-Entry Director

216 S. Second Street
Fort Pierce, Florida 3950
(772)462-2048