FAQ's
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- How is PREF different from any other correctional facility or any other Level 1 facility?
- What determines who is eligible for PREF?
- What is the timeframe from when a resident arrives until he begins vocational or educational programs?
- What vocational and educational classes are available?
- What programs offer time cuts and why are some programs exempt from time cuts?
- What tutoring or mentoring opportunities are available?
- How does the facility sharpen the skills of residents who have talents in areas for which there are no programs?
- What religious services are available?
- How do you equip residents with debit cards, and how do they use them?
- When are visiting hours?
- What type of personal documentation can residents obtain while at P.R.E.F.?
- What do you do to help residents prepare for employment?
- How is PREF involved with the Second Chance at Life greyhound program?
- Explain PREF's clothing room.
- What organization are you working with to obtain housing for residents prior to their release?
Q: How is PREF different from any other correctional facility or any other Level 1 facility?
A: PREF is attempting to change the entire correctional culture. One of the biggest barriers residents face is letting go of the institutional mentality. The intention is to allow residents to adjust to life on the outside while still residing inside the perimeter fence and maintaining public safety. This is accomplished by creating a culture of professionalism in an effort to deinstitutionalize the residents. By mimicking the civilian culture inside the fence, PREF allows residents to effectively prepare for life after release. PREF also focuses on educational and vocational programs which help residents develop skill sets which will increase their chances of securing and maintaining employment. These are all contributing factors to PREF's overall goal of residents' successful re-entry into our community in order to live as law-abiding citizens.
Q: What determines who is eligible for PREF?
A: To be considered, males must be released to Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Marion, Hamilton, Putnam, Shelby, Hancock, Madison or Morgan counties. Offenders must also be classified in a low security level and be free of sex offenses. A full list of eligibility requirements is listed in Executive Directive # 06-07, created by the Commissioner.
Q: What is the timeframe from when a resident arrives until he begins vocational or educational programs?
A: The timeframe from resident arrival to enrollment in any vocational or educational placement is dependent upon several facility factors. These include the current facility schedule, current facility resident work needs, and facility, not school, provided education programs. Right now, there seems to be facility schedule/program determination adjustments underway that prohibit an accurate response to the question. Currently, a resident desiring vocational programming will be interviewed and placed on a waiting list. The usual entry criteria involves having a high school or GED diploma, the date of arrival at this facility, the earliest possible release date (ERPD), the ERPD with time cuts for enrolled programs completion, and whether or not a resident has had previous vocational program completions during the current incarceration. Typically, residents who arrive first, who have a high school or GED diploma, who have had no previous vocational program completions during this incarceration, and who can complete the program may end up being first on the waiting list.
Q: What vocational and educational classes are available?
Building trades (offered by DOC)
Culinary arts (offered by DOC)
Entrepreneurship (offered by Ivy Tech)
Logistics (offered by Ivy Tech)
S.T.A.R.T./Hospitality (offered by Ivy Tech)
A GED preparatory program is available on a part-time basis.
The Inmate2Workmate program, provided by Aramark, is provided in conjunction with our culinary arts program.
Q: What programs offer time cuts and why are some programs exempt from time cuts?
A: All five vocational/educational programs and some phases of substance abuse offer time cuts if completed successfully and the student completing the program is eligible for a time cut. Time cuts are in accordance with DOC procedures and state statutes.
Q: What tutoring or mentoring opportunities are available?
A: Tutoring assistance is given in the following areas: remedial reading and math skills, GED and SAT math preparations, and composition skills. Click for more information. Mentors assist our residents in preparing for release. Click for more information. Both of these opportunities are available after 4:00 p.m. during the week days and any time during the weekend.
Q: How does the facility sharpen the skills of residents who have talents in areas for which there are no programs?
A: PREF will attempt to accommodate those residents who have a specific skill set and provide them with assignments which will allow them to maintain and even improve those skills. However, residents are encouraged to widen their knowledge and take full advantage of any educational or vocational programs that may increase their future opportunities.
Q: What religious services are available?
A: We have general Christian worship services every Sunday morning and evening. We also have services for special religious events. Bible studies are conducted every day of the week. The Muslims celebrate Jum'ah Pray on Fridays and Ta'aleem on Sundays. They celebrate special religious events as well. Native American ceremonies take place on alternating Tuesdays. Click for more information.
Q: How do you equip residents with debit cards, and how do they use them?
A: PREF has a volunteer contract with Lincoln Bank that allows Lincoln Bank to provide PREF residents with a limited free checking account including a VISA debit card. Lincoln Bank employees come to PREF monthly on a volunteer basis and allow ANY interested resident to sign up for the account. No residents are excluded from this opportunity. Approximately three weeks after the initial sign-up, the residents receive their debit cards. These debit cards, as well as the checking account are limited for use while at PREF. Limitations include: restricting residents access to one location at which to use their debit card, no ATM access, no postings to the account from outside the facility, and a $20 daily limit on purchases. Residents may deposit money into their checking accounts for use on the debit card bi-weekly by way of Request for Remittance forms. When a resident is released from PREF, he may contact Lincoln Bank to request the removal of the restrictions to the account. This will free the account to the status of a regular checking account and allow the debit card to be utilized at any location that accepts VISA.
Q: When are visiting hours?
A: Visiting hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-8 p.m. for two(2) hours, and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. for one hour.
Q: What type of personal documentation can residents obtain while at P.R.E.F.?
A: Residents may obtain birth certificates and a state-issued identification card as well as a debit card if they desire to have one. We are working to develop the ability to issue driver's licenses in certain cases.
Q: What do you do to help residents prepare for employment?
A: While at PREF, residents are given the opportunity to expand their skills in different areas via the educational/vocational programs offered. After the completion of these programs, the residents are given work assignments for the practical application of these skills. Nearing a residents' release date, the resident visits PREF's designated WorkOne employee. This PREF staff member is dedicated to assisting the resident in securing employment. Volunteer programs such as Job Readiness also help residents prepare for entering the workforce by teaching interview and resume-building skills.
Q: How is PREF involved with the Second Chance at Life greyhound program?
A: The Second Chance at Life program gives PREF residents the opportunity to domesticate greyhounds in an effort to prepare them for adoption by civilian families. This program accepts retired racing greyhounds that would otherwise have been euthanized and allows PREF residents to teach and train them to live as household pets.
Q: Explain PREF's clothing room.
A: The purpose of Dress for Re-Entry clothing room is to provide street clothes to the residents who do not receive any clothing from their families. When a resident is released, he will receive three sets of clothing. We accept donated new or slightly used clothing - causal, dress, and work coats, shirts, shoes, and pants; causal and work hats/caps; sweaters, sweat shirts and pants; underwear; suits; gloves; suitcases; socks; etc.
Q: What organization are you working with to obtain housing for residents prior to their release?
A: PREF has partnered with PACE/OAR (Public Action in Correctional Effort/Offender Aid and Restoration), an organization that aids offenders and ex-offenders with basic, intermediate, and long-term needs. The non-profit organization can assist residents in finding transitional or sometimes permanent housing.
