Omaha program helping men transition from prison life, beat addictions
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Published: Jul. 26, 2024 at 5:37 PM CDT
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A high percentage of the prison population is dealing with addiction issues or committing crimes to deal with their addiction.
But now, a program in Omaha is finding some success dealing with men coming out of prison who have addiction issues.
Last fall, we talked to Shane Reilly about his 50th Street Landing reentry program. The program helping men transition from prison to life on the outside has been successful and it’s growing. There are now five houses in the reentry program. The latest one in South Omaha.
“We need more room because we have more guys to help you know,” Reilly said.
Reilly discovered when he can keep the men together after completing the program they tend to have more success.
“So, we’ve expanded into some we’ll call them step up houses,” Reilly said. “When they complete the program, they can still stay together and go to another house, and yet have me freedoms and continue to do the things they were doing in the program.”
The newest house is larger, but the rules are the same. The men pay rent, they still have a curfew, they do chores, have a sponsor and must attend meetings to deal with their addition. Reilly said the rules are working and the program has 78% success rate.
“Right around 50% of that 78% had completed parole or still on parole the last time we checked which is know in a situation like this, most of the guys we get you know they’re a little tougher crowd,” Reilly said.
Reilly said one thing that tougher crowd has in common, is addiction.
“We’re dealing with addiction, right, and anytime you’re with addiction, 95% of the people coming out of incarceration have addiction issues, that’s what the federal government tells us,” Reilly said. “When I came out of prison I had bad intentions, people that owned me money, and I was in a bad place in my head.”
Brian Hafley went through the reentry program, now he’s in a good place. Brian is the house manager of the program’s new step-up house and he’s feeling good about himself.
“That’s another thing that makes me feel good because there’s a bunch of guys that look up to me, and I never thought anything like that, you know,” Hafley said. “The responsibility I need that in my life, you know, I have two jobs and manage this house, and just staying busy with life, and staying busy with the guys, its almost like a brotherhood.”
Reilly believes that brotherhood is like family and family always find their way back home to support the guys who are in the program, still living in the house.
“I think another thing that keeps us strong is we have a strong alumni presence of guys who completed the program, filter back through and say hey you can do this to me,” Hafley said.
The men also must be employed while in the program. Reilly said he needs the help of local businesses to fill that need.
Reilly also said UNO is conducting a study on the 50th Street Landing reentry program to hopefully put some hard numbers on the success of the program.
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