Getting Out and Staying Out is dedicated to drastically reducing the recidivism rate for 18-24 year old men through purposeful education and directed employment.

GOSO participants interact with the staff and volunteers of GOSO at three locations: Rikers Island, Upstate, and at GOSO Office.

Rikers Island

A young man enters Rikers Island.   If he does not have his high school diploma, he volunteers to attend the Horizon Academy to achieve a GED.  He is offered the opportunity to apply to Getting Out and Staying Out by submitting an essay, resume and signing a contract.  The young man’s legal status is also assessed.  We collect information regarding his counsel, court dates and case.  When appropriate we advocate for him in court.

 

After enrollment in GOSO, the young man will immediately begin planning for his release. GOSO coaches will meet with the young man every week, training him on how to achieve an education and career after his incarceration.  Each young man will eventually either be sentenced to serve time in upstate prisons or at Rikers, or he will be released into the community.   

Upstate

If he is incarcerated upstate, GOSO’s continuum of services are made available to him through our correspondence program.  He is sent educational materials and individualized letters preparing him for a successful transition back into the community.  Individuals who excel academically are considered for full scholarships to Ohio University’s College Program for the Incarcerated.  Our program is becoming well known upstate. Daily, we receive letters of inquiry from incarcerated young men who enroll in our program through correspondence.  Our objective during this period is to keep each student focused on the future, ensuring that he takes advantage of the programs that exist in the facility where he is incarcerated. We focus on his release date and as that day approaches, we put a transitional plan in place.  His first stop is always our storefront office.  After release we have three goals for all of our clients:

    1. Further their education in GED programs, Colleges, and Trade Schools.

    2. Secure directed employment which will lead to a satisfying career. 

 

    3. Achieve early release from parole and probation when appropriate.

During the young man’s first visit to our office, we determine his immediate housing, counseling, and treatment needs.  As appropriate, we refer the young man to agencies which can provide him with the comprehensive services he may need to establish stability in his life.  These services might include mental health, drug treatment, anger management and emergency housing.

At the end of the day, he leaves our offices with an alarm clock, a note pad, pens, a weekly planner, condoms, a metro card, and a professional resume.  We believe that these are the essential tools which each young man will need during his reentry to be on time, to be prepared, and to be safe.

Most importantly, our client leaves with a plan for the immediate future.  This plan will guide him through his search for an education that leads to meaningful employment.  As the attached chart demonstrates, GOSO has an array of options that ensure that each member has an individualized course of action which can lead him to success.