Bridges International, Bridges of America

Bridges International has three Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Programs built on the Therapeutic Community Concepts. The peer-led, peer-driven environment encourages clients to become active participants in their recovery. These are adult male and female felony drug offenders who have been sentenced by the local courts to participate in drug treatment as a deterrent from incarceration as a condition of probation. The program offerings in each program vary to best meet the needs of the persons served. Bridges International’s Substance Abuse Transition Re-Entry Program is a Therapeutic Community (TC) providing intensive substance abuse treatment services for minimum custody inmates. The program assists inmates in making a successful transition from the correctional institution to their community. Designed to reduce recidivism rates in the Florida prison system, the goal of the re-entry program is to transform inmates into productive citizens. The foundation of the program is the Therapeutic Community Concepts, which are essential to maintaining a drug-free lifestyle in social contexts. With clinical supervision, this peer-led, peer-driven environment encourages the men to become active participants in their recovery. Each program participant follows a multidisciplinary treatment plan customized to meet his or her individual needs. Eligible inmates usually have 24 to 36 months remaining on their sentence when entering this program. Upon completion of the Transition Re-Entry Program, inmates become eligible for the Community Release program, where they are gainfully employed during the day and continue their treatment at night. Bridges International Community Release programs are designed to allow incarcerated inmates nearing the completion of their sentence to acquire gainful employment within the community while safely housed at a community release facility. Community Release gives inmates an opportunity to get their lives back on track through working and participating in substance abuse treatment, education, and vocation coursework at night. With their earnings, Community Release inmates are required to pay subsistence for room and board, which saves taxpayers money. Inmates also make court-ordered payments, send money home for family support, and are required to set money aside for savings upon their release. Bridges International offers substance abuse treatment, diverse courses, and value-added services that teach problem solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and recovery maintenance skills. The program offerings at each facility vary to best meet the needs of the persons served. Inmates who return to society from community release programs are less likely to commit another crime, reducing the state cost for incarceration. The benefits of community release programs include structure, employment, savings and the increased likelihood that the offender’s re-entry to society will have long-term success.