Reception and Orientation

Today, being Tuesday, means it is the day for R&O otherwise known as Reception and Orientation. This is not a ‘meet and greet’ event, but rather a series of presentations by institution staff to the inmates that are new arrivals during the previous week. Staff presentations from all areas of the institution happen in 15 to 30 to 60 minute sessions, depending on the area and the information that needs to be provided about the area. Health Services and Clinical Services provide information about how to get an appointment with medical and psychological personnel for chronic, urgent or emergency situations. The Treatment Program presents on the various options they have available. A social worker presents on the Social Services department which is a very significant area, including getting an appointment with the assigned social worker, future program needs or parole board hearings. The Chaplain presents on the various religious events and service schedules that will take place in the Chapel. The Work Release coordinator speaks about the variety of jobs that are available and how an inmate may go about applying for one. The Pre-release coordinator describes the Pre-release curriculum and how to get into the groups. Various Support groups are described and their weekly schedules are communicated. Of course the Education programs are described including the opportunities, schedules, and waiting lists that are in place. Recreation schedules and facilities are described. The Inmate Identification Program provides information on how to obtain Social Security Number cards, birth certificates and the all-important and extremely necessary ID card or driver license. Inmates sit patiently while the staff presents information about the programs in their areas. The presentations are all geared toward what happens at the local prison. The presentations begin around 8:30 am and run through midafternoon. Attendance by newly arrived inmates is mandatory. The day is a long one for inmates. Some of them are serving life sentences and are new to minimum security, so some of the opportunities that are being presented are ones they have looked forward to for a long time. Other inmates are new to prison, and this is the first institution they have been assigned to after their initial Assessment and Evaluation process. Lots of information, some welcome, some not so much. Either way, it’s just another day on the hill.