PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A Putnam County church is working to help keep former inmates from facing homelessness upon their release.
In a Facebook post, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said First Presbyterian Church and Bread of Life made “blessing bags” filled with self-care items for those most at-risk of homelessness.
Corrections Program Director Kelsey Ritchie said about 50 bags were made with the donated supplies.
“We are thankful for community partnerships as we continue to reduce recidivism in the jail,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Recidivism is the likelihood that an inmate who is released from prison will return to prison (not county jail) within three years.
A Florida Prison Recidivism Report is produced annually by the Bureau of Research and Data Analysis within the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC).
The report examines the recidivism rate of Florida’s released inmate population.
In the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, recidivism rates in Putnam County were 24.4%, 26.7% and 23.8%, according to FDC data.
Earlier this month, Chris and Lizette Batchelder, both PCSO employees, brought their love of art to the county jail by offering current inmates classes on paint pouring.
PCSO said their idea was inspired by the successful Arts in Prison program in Kansas.
MAKING ART IN JAIL, PASSION PROJECT FOR DEPUTY DUO
— Putnam County (Fla.) SO (@PutnamCountySO) July 1, 2021
Corrections deputy Lizette Batchelder & husband patrol deputy Chris enjoy creating art at home. Recently, they brought their love for art to the Putnam County Jail by providing inmates with classes on paint pouring. pic.twitter.com/bvDyIn8wKT
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