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Women's Reentry Center

102 Hogan Rd (physical)
106 Hogan Rd Suite 8(mailing)
Bangor ME 04401

Tel: (207) 561-5027
Fax: (207) 561-5025

Becky Hayes Boober
Chief Administrative Officer

Carrie Hart
Program Director


Entrance to Women's Reentry Center

The Women’s Reentry Center (WRC) is designed to give women the skills and experience they need to successfully live as positive citizens and employees after they transition from state correctional facilities into their home communities.

An emphasis is placed on reducing their risks of reoffending and on increasing their positive outcomes.

Positive outcomes include attributes such as

  1. being employed in high growth/high demand careers,
  2. reunifying with their families,
  3. using effective parenting skills,
  4. having stable post release housing,
  5. remaining drug and alcohol free,
  6. having prosocial friends and activities,
  7. being active citizens, and
  8. being able to make healthy choices for their lives.

WRC was opened in November 2007 by the Maine Department of Corrections and is operated through contract by Volunteers of America Northern New England.

The program uses gender-responsive principles as the foundation of all its programming and operations.

The Center houses up to 38 women and is located in a wing of the Dorothea Dix complex.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the WRC, a woman

  • must have served at least 120 days of her sentence and
  • have approximately one year left to serve.
  • She will have already demonstrated her commitment to a positive, crime-free life during her time at the Women’s Center in Windham.
  • She will be classified as minimum or community security level.
  • Many will be eligible to apply for Supervised Community Confinement.

Life in the Women’s Reentry Center

Women spend their days in educational and/or cognitive-behavioral classes that prepare them for making successful transitions into the community.

This includes

  • self-awareness sessions,
  • decision-making,
  • examining their individual reoffending risks and triggers,
  • substance abuse treatment,
  • behavioral treatment,
  • financial management, and
  • other opportunities for self improvement.
They also may
  • participate in obtaining their GEDs,
  • taking college classes in the community, or
  • learning a trade.
They also spend time participating in community service projects, such as
  • helping to train therapy dogs,
  • helping with grounds maintenance,
  • assisting local community agencies, and
  • volunteering.

Residents have work assignments. Initially, these assignments are in the facility. During the last six months of their sentence, they might have the opportunity to work in the community.

WRC works closely with the Maine Department of Labor Career Center to place them in jobs in high growth/high demand careers where employers have need of good employees. Residents will be able to keep these jobs after their release.

The facility is secure and staffed 24-7. Residents may apply for community outings, such as going to church or to AA/NA meetings with staff. They are gradually given more community responsibilities.

 

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