LIAISONS TO LINK INMATES WITH AID

GREENSBORO - When inmates with drug and alcohol problems leave the
Guilford County jail, they get information about how to get treatment
on their own.

But because of the laundry list of problems facing most recently
released inmates - finding a place to live, finding employment,
meeting probation requirements - many never make it to the treatment
programs.

And without treatment for substance abuse problems, inmates face a
high likelihood of ending up back at the jail, said George Coates,
executive director of the Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition.

"If they can get help, maybe we can break the cycle and they won't
come back to jail," Coates said.

So the coalition, along with the Guilford Center and the Guilford
County Sheriff's Office, devised a plan to help fill the gap between
substance abuse treatment at the jail and getting help outside.

Two "liaisons" soon will work with inmates who are about to leave the
jail. The liaisons will help inmates identify problems they will face
on the outside, such as finding a home, getting treatment or going to
support groups.

Then the liaisons will lay the groundwork to help the inmates get over
those hurdles with the help of existing social services programs.

Once inmates are released, the liaisons will continue working with
them on getting drug and alcohol treatment.

The expectation is that assistance will reduce the likelihood of those
prisoners ending up back in jail, Coates said. In turn, that should
reduce crowding pressures at the jails and caseload at the courthouse.

"We want to help them remain abstinent and build their community
resources," said Paula Snipes, director of nursing at the Guilford
Center.

The two liaisons have been on the job since Dec. 1 but aren't yet
working with inmates.

They've been going through orientation with the Guilford Center, as
well as devising the program and making contacts with the support
groups that will be needed.

Snipes said she expects their work with inmates will begin before Feb.
1. One will be based in High Point and work with prisoners at that
jail and the county farm. The other will be based in Greensboro and
work with inmates there.

Funding for the liaisons came from the Guilford County commissioners,
and the liaisons are employees of The Guilford Center.