Hello, my name is Marsha Oss. For those of you who don’t know me or my story, I was a justice-involved woman, am a person of color, and spent many years living outside societal norms so you might say, I come by my lived experience honestly. I grew up surrounded by untreated Mental Illnesses, Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Domestic Violence, multiple forms of child abuse, and neglect. I was prenatally exposed to alcohol and have suffered multiple Traumatic Brain injuries. I also attended, on average, four schools per year between ages 6 and 15; I was in juvenile detention, foster care, and girls’ homes.
After running away multiple times between the ages of 12 to 15. I finally got away at 15 but was sold into human trafficking and was trafficked for 5 years. I was arrested at age 20 for a felony DUI, Resisting Arrest, and Assault. I was incarcerated and served probation time. At 26 in 1988, I entered treatment for intravenous drug use and that changed my life.
When I was growing up, not one person in my family or my school spoke to me about finishing school let alone seeking higher education. I was a throw-away child because of my family’s reputation. I was able to complete a GED at 18 and spent 34 of the 36 years of my career with only certifications in specialty fields. That isn’t possible today.
I am currently the Fairbanks Reentry Coordinator with approximately 110 individuals currently seeking services from my coalition. Before that, I was the Fairbanks Reentry Case Manager for 5 years and, before that, I worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor for over 25 years in hospitals, and correctional facilities. I also owned my own treatment agency and worked exclusively with Community Corrections. My primary clients have always been justice-involved, and I consider this my life’s work. I have spent the past 36 years working full-time, giving back to my community in various volunteer positions, and recently completed an associate’s and a bachelor’s with three minors. That I am here, serving my community, is truly a miracle, as I represent the true meaning of intersectionality and truthfully, I am the face of many of my clients.
Today I am here to discuss two items related to HB35:
First, the importance of creating a plan before reentry
Successful reentry means safer communities. When I served as the Reentry Case Manager digital technology would have helped me develop transition plans and assist Correctional Officers, IPOs, and Community Correction Staff with their workload. Successful reentry is about building partnerships and support systems, not only for the justice involved but our frontline officers. We would be able to have multiple applications filled out and be ready to submit them to their Field POs immediately upon release.
The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition supports the Department of Corrections (DOC)’s efforts to expand opportunities for inmates to access digital technology. Examples include completing Birth Certificates, SS Cards, DVR applications, various treatment services applications for referrals, completing Medicaid applications, Returning Home applications, and identifying appropriate Peer Support specialists. These are all vital resources that enhance reentry increasing the likelihood of reduced recidivism and success in the community after release.
Secondly, the effect that having educational materials while incarcerated has on inmates
When I think of this topic, I think of the statement Commissioner Winkelman has communicated multiple times. “We want them to leave us better off than when they entered our facilities.” The ability to offer education is proven to reduce recidivism and stimulate their minds positively. It also eliminates the effects of languishing in correctional facilities. We all know Languishing is used to describe a mental state that may make it hard for you to feel positive about your life. Being able to offer education to support obtaining a GED or HSE allows a person to gain better employment. It also inspires hope that they can obtain higher education or work in the trades.
The other benefit of digital technology is the ability to help clients develop skills to address complications related to learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and other barriers by providing self-help education. This would ease the impact on Corrections and health staff and create safer facilities.
Preparing for this testimony I asked several individuals working in AK DOC facilities what they thought about introducing Digital Technology and the answers were unanimous. “Please. We are operating in the stone age. We could get more GED’s completed if these folks could study on the units since our facilities are limited by time and space issues as well as staffing limitations.”
We can be that State that motivates individuals to do better upon release. Thank you for inviting me to be here today.
Resources:
https://www.inmateaid.com/information/the-impact-of-ai-and-technology-on-inmate-rehabilitation-and-prison-management-2024
https://www.viapath.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VIA-Digital_Inclusion_and_Opportunity-White-Paper.pdf
https://www.benton.org/blog/technology-education-programs-prisons-increase-prosocial-behaviors-and-computing-attitudes
https://www.rti.org/insights/educational-technology-for-better-correctional-education-outcomes
My top suggestions for what are needed moving forward.
Include Coalition Coordinators in Academy training so they can explain what Coalitions and Case Managers do and don’t do
Utilize Peer Support Specialists who have lived experience in obtaining education to help with Tutoring
Implement a program in Facilities to screen ACES and TBI’s so that proper supports can be in place to support Education Coordinators
