Featured Program: MN's Women's Recovery Center
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Featured Program: Volunteers of America of Minnesota offers women hope and a pathway to recovery at the Women’s Recovery Center (WRC). WRC offers participants chemical dependency treatment and sexual trauma therapy, assistance in restoring family ties and developing living skills and competencies to support them in leaving a life of prostitution. The WRC program was recognized nationally and received an award from the Foundation for Improvement of Justice, Inc. |
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Over the years, Volunteers of America has observed a "revolving door" phenomenon for women sentenced for prostitution. These women served up to five to six years of cumulative jail time for prostitution and related drug offenses due to being repetitively sentenced for up to eight-month periods at a time. The total jail cost alone amounted to $90,000-$130,000 per person. Volunteers of America’s program director explored ways to avoid using jail for women involved in prostitution and a small group of persons formerly involved in prostitution was assembled to explore what women on the streets needed to leave prostitution. The group unanimously recommended a residential recovery program with specialized treatment programming that simultaneously incorporates chemical dependency treatment with a gender-specific relational approach, and sexual trauma/mental health treatment with a teaching curriculum of expanded life choices. Volunteers of America, along with former prostitutes, succeeded in securing start-up funds from the Minnesota State Legislature for a pilot project. As a result, the community approved and embraced the establishment of a residential facility that currently houses up to 24 persons.
Since February 2000, this unique gender-specific treatment program has been particularly effective and about 80 percent of participants have completed the program. Upon entering the program, the average participant has had five prior formal out/inpatient treatment placements, and in some cases ten, with unsuccessful results. According to available program entry data, 96 percent reported being drug addicted, with crack being the most frequently abused drug, and most had engaged in street prostitution and/or prostitution at crack/drug houses. Based on program exit surveys, the women participants have given the program high marks, and their recidivism rate has been extraordinary. Based on review of local criminal justice information, approximately 80 percent who have completed the program have avoided re-arrest/incarceration, and at least reside in transitional housing. Program graduates have commented, "It saved my life," and, "I thank God for this program."
The success of the program has helped gain ongoing government funding. The cost for a complete program stay is $10,530, which compares favorably considering the costs associated with prostitution, such as arrest, incarceration, mental health services, medical services, child welfare/protection, and premature mortality. The program employs appropriately credentialed women who have formerly been involved in prostitution. The value of this practice enhances the program’s credibility and authenticity to clients seeking its services. Women are now calling from the street to inquire about admission. The program has partnered with community/drug courts, jails and lockups to offer alternative sentencing and diversion; and correctional institutions have offered prospective participants furloughs and early releases to the program. The Sentencing Project, a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. has called it a model program.
