Initiatives

As the liaison between the jail and community/family, the chaplain provides religious services and coordinates related functions to best meet the spiritual and personal needs of inmates, as well as providing guidance in coping with incarceration.

A spiritual, emotional, and physical regeneration of alcoholics and drug addicts. Recovery is the learning of a set of skills that can be used for the rest of an individual's life to remain chemical free and to address the issues of life that come to all people. Those with chemical dependency issues have learned ways of coping that are not healthy and they must learn to practice new skills that are more suitable so they become proficient with them.

The project, "Strong Fathers/Strong Families", promotes responsible fatherhood to incarcerated fathers and provides services to mothers and children of these incarcerated fathers. Parenting classes and a support group are provided for the children upon their father's release from jail. Extended in-home parenting education is also available.

The Martin County Jail is an approved Pearson Vue test site with a General Educational Development (GED) teacher and certified GED tester on staff. Inmates participate in basic adult education classes designed to help lower-functioning inmates in attaining functional literacy and provides higher functioning inmates the opportunity to earn their High School Diploma (GED) through the Florida Department of Education. Inmates who attend class will have the opportunity to apply for financial aid for continuing education.

The use of inmate workers provides significant savings to taxpayers within Martin County by providing no-cost labor for maintenance and upkeep. Inmates are classified for supervised work assignments and includes the maintenance and upkeep of Martin County Sheriff's Office facilities and grounds, as well as other county facilities such as the Fire Department, public water and sewer services, and road crew.

Inmates receive instructions on how to make decisions for independent living. They learn how to plan a budget, open a savings and checking account and how to balance their checkbook. Participating inmates are also provided with instruction on interview techniques to promote employability beyond incarceration. Inmates are also provided with instruction on health and nutrition.

A faith-based substance abuse intervention and education program for incarcerated females struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Participating inmates will receive individual and group counseling, individual treatment planning, and treatment plan reviews. Classes provided include:

• Celebrate Recovery
• Classes on nutrition, fitness, and health
• The Disease of Addiction
• Parenting classes

Non-denominational Bible study and church services are offered to inmates through volunteer services. Denominational services may be provided upon an inmate's request.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings are conducted weekly by approved volunteers who are also recovering addicts in an effort to help each other maintain healthy lifestyles.

The Office of the Public Defender conducts an offender re-entry program to serve eligible inmates incarcerated in our facility. This program is designed to assist inmates being released into the community.

Individualized Plan

A Re-Entry Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the inmate and the outside agencies to effect an individualized plan to meet the inmates' needs, such as:

• Education
• Homelessness
• Mental health needs
• Unemployment, counseling and substance abuse issues

Emergency Assistance

In addition, they will receive some emergency assistance to provide basic needs such as:

• Basic hygiene product
• Clothes
• Food
• Proper D bus pass
• Shelter

Volunteers from "Celebrate Recovery" conduct a 12-step approach in dealing with alcohol and drug addiction as well as struggles with sexual addiction, difficulty in overcoming a history of physical or sexual abuse, and/or anger and co-dependency issues.