Angela D.

Edmonds
HMSV 440
Findings (Task 8)
Prof. Lewis

During my interviews and observation with the Cognitive Counselors at Lunenburg

Correctional Center, the information received was informative. They not only spoke on the
importance of re-entry, but they demonstrated through their one on one interaction with the
offenders as well as programs they facilitated.
After observing the counselors interaction, programs and day to day job duties with
offender, my conclusion regarding re-entry is, It works and Re-entry is everybodys
business. We all need to get involved.
I found that working together as one team will promote a positive and productive re-entry
program. When reviewing the offenders recidivism rate, it showed that 1 out of 10 offenders
who have gone through this program have returned back into our prisons. This shows that the
Cognitive/Re-entry programs are effective.
My recommendation is to work together as a team, which will impact the service by
promoting training, resources and working closely with other law enforcement stakeholders.
There is still much to learn about this re-entry program, therefore more training and networking
would also help in making it successful. This would be positive for this re-entry program.
The goal is to reduce the recidivism rate to 0 out of 10 offenders who have gone through
the Cognitive/Re-entry program to remain productive and positive in society by not returning
back into our prison systems.

During my research, documentation from the Virginia Department of Corrections Reentry Initiative support the recidivism rate of Virginia offenders who have gone through this
program. They will continue to monitor ex-offenders and their progress in society.