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Programs

OPEN INFORMATION SERIES

Category: Crime & Legal-Related - Ex-Offender Services/Supervision
Beneficiaries: Adults; Offenders/ex-offenders; Substance abusers (drug/alcohol abusers); General Public/Unspecified
Priority: 1
Budget: $78,684.00

OPEN has developed the OPEN Information Series, a collection of educational materials and programs designed to promote positive change in the attitudes and perceptions of public offenders, thus leading to positive behavioral change. The Information Series consists of books, tapes, and training programs that encourage offenders to re-evaluate their past attitudes and actions and develop the personal commitment and skills needed to become a contributing member of society.

The core of the Information Series is a set of four books:

A Map Through the Maze: an overview of the criminal justice experience from arrest to success;

Man, I Need a Job!: a guide to finding and keeping a job despite a criminal history (also available in Spanish as ¡Necesito Empleo!);

Life Without a Crutch: an introduction to recovery from addictive behavior; and

99 Days and A Get Up: how to cope with release from prison and have a successful return to the free world.


In addition, OPEN INC self - publishes a newsletter (INSIGHTS) on important issues in the correctional field, as well as successful rehabilitation programs.
Information Series books follow a self-help format so they can be used by individual offenders who are motivated to turn their lives around. To increase their effectiveness and reach a much wider audience, OPEN has developed training programs that will help teachers and counselors present the material in a small group setting. Training programs are currently available on Reentry (99 Days and A Get Up) and Dependency (Life Without a Crutch), and OPEN is currently developing a training program based upon Man, I Need a Job.

In addition, OPEN has begun the development of the OPEN Information Video Series. Joining OPEN's perennial reentry video, Preparing for Success, is Why Bother?, a motivational presentation designed to help offenders find constructive answers to the question, “Why Bother?”

OPEN’s materials are unique because they are written from the offender’s perspective. Thus they address the core concerns that offenders face in terms they recognize and are comfortable with. This increases the credibility of the materials in the eyes of the end user and helps overcome the natural resistance prisoners feel toward any recommendations from prison staff, no matter how well-informed or well-intended.

The goal of the OPEN Information Series is to encourage positive growth and promote the successful community adaptation of public offenders, thereby reducing the likelihood that they will commit new crimes. The materials provide information on how to cope with the correctional process itself, how to face and deal with personal problems, and how to develop the skills necessary for survival and growth in the free world. Recognizing the important role that family and loved ones play in helping offenders adjust to society, OPEN's books also offer insight and guidance to help loved ones cope with their own problems and their relationship with the offender.

OPEN's materials are now used in correctional programs in Texas and across the country, including local jails, state and private prisons, pre-release and community corrections programs, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Since the program began in 1987, approximately three quarters of a million books have been placed in service.

Definition of long-term success:

Long term success can be defined as when the general public, the incarcerated population, correctional facilities and correctional professionals view OPEN INC. as a reliable source of information and practical knowledge to assist them.

Definition of short-term success:

Continued awareness of the validity of OPEN INFORMATION materials

Success monitored by:

Queries as to the continued availability of titles; desire to obtain materials. Continued sales/donation of materials.

Evidence of success:

During FY 2008 OPEN INC. published and distributed approximately 22,296 books, tapes and training programs to 49 correctional agencies, 33 professional and lay individuals, 21 community and faith-based agencies, and 12 libraries, bookstores and distributors. In addition, published and distrubuted one (1) edition of our INSIGHTS newsletter to over7500 corrections professionals.

During FY 2007 OPEN INC. published and distributed approximately 25,027 books, tapes and training programs to 44 correctional agencies, 28 professional and lay individuals, 13 community and faith-based agencies, and 9 libraries, bookstores and distributors. In addition, published and distrubuted one (1) edition of our INSIGHTS newsletter to over7500 corrections professionals. Presented three days of onsite training to inmates and staff on pre-release and motivation.

During FY 2006 OPEN INC. published and distributed approximately10,486 books, tapes and training programs to 50 correctional agencies, 31 professional and lay individuals, 25 community and faith-based agencies, and 9 libraries, bookstores and distributors. In addition, published and distrubuted two (2) editions of our INSIGHTS newsletter to over7500 corrections professionals.

During FY 2005 OPEN INC. published and distributed approximately18,136 books, tapes and training programs to 46 correctional agencies, 37 professional and lay individuals, 15 community and faith-based agencies, and 8 libraries, bookstores and distributors. In addition, published and distrubuted one (1) edition of our INSIGHTS newsletter to over7500 corrections professionals.