Offenders Participating in Project BRITE Give Back to Community with Charity Donations

By: Sarah Warren, Communications Specialist

April 8, 2008

 

Many offenders at two Washington prisons are forgoing soda and other commodities sold in prison commissaries, more privileges and even post-prison cash for themselves or relatives in order to help charities.

Those offenders are in the Project Behavioral Reinforcement to Increase Treatment Engagement (BRITE) and chemical dependency programs where they earn motivational incentive points. The programs operate at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women and Airway Heights Corrections Center.

The offenders earn motivational incentives points by completing tasks and participating in activities that promote a healthy, pro-social lifestyle, such as attending and participating in group treatment sessions, completing homework assignments, having no unexcused absence from work or education, clean drug tests, remaining disciplinary free, etc. The points can be redeemed for tangible items from the prison commissaries, increased privileges, or gift cards home for themselves upon release or for family members. They also have the option of donating some or all their points toward a cash donation to charities of their choice.

“We are seeing an increase in charitable contributions, which is a great indicator of increased moral reasoning,” said Patricia Noble-Desy, Chemical Dependency Program Administrator.

To date, Project BRITE participants have donated $345.50 to Rebuilding Families, Inc., YMCA, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Washington Women in Need and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The responses to the charitable donations have been immediate, with organizations calling and sending letters to learn more about the program and thanking offenders for their generous gifts.

“They [offenders] have obviously worked hard to adopt a healthy lifestyle and are to be commended for their achievements,” said Julie Banks, YMCA Financial Development Officer, in a letter.  “Beyond that, their strength of character is reflected through this selfless gift.”

Project BRITE is a research study with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that began in December 2006.

It is four-year study that tests the impacts of behavioral reinforcement on incarcerated offenders with substance abuse addictions who are involved in treatment programs.

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