Marion County Community Corrections is launching a program to help those being released from the Marion County Jail into electronic monitoring. The Welcome Home Initiative will provide food and hygiene items to those being released in the evenings and at other times when community organizations are closed.
“If someone gets released after hours obviously they are not going to be able to go to a food bank,” said Christina Cesnik, a spokeswoman. “We don’t want them to have to scramble to find something to eat while they are trying to transition to this new reality of living on monitoring.”
The agency estimates 500 people enter electronic monitoring per month. The goal is to help once or twice a month until they can get the items they need from organizations in their communities. The agency’s case managers, who came up with the idea of care packages, will help them find resources, Cesnik said.
Northview Church is a partner in the program and is providing some items.
“We’ve always been mindful of the challenges that those incarcerated face when re-entering, so we have a heart to try to help and support,” Local Missions Director Rick Glassley said.
The program will start this month, Cesnik said. An Amazon wish list is available for anyone who wants to donate.
Mirror Indy Neighborhoods reporter Diane Moore covers the east side of Indianapolis. Contact her at diane.moore@mirrorindy.org or 317-732-5122. Follow her on X @DianeMoore80711.
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