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TABLE OF CONTENTS

   

WELCOME ……………………………………………………………………………………       1

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW ……………………………………………………………………..        2

 

RESIDENTIAL AGREEMENT ………………………………………………………………          3

 

INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN ……………………………………………………………...         4

 

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES ………………………………………………………………       5

 

SIGN-OUT / CALL-IN PROCEDURES ……………………………………………………...        6

 

WORK RELEASE PASS TIME / (SR)  ………………………………………………………         7

 

ISR PASS TIME ………………………………………………………………………………        8

 

GENERAL HOUSE RULES ………………………………………………………………….    9-10

 

CONDUCT CODE - DISCIPLINE ……………………………………………………………       11

 

MAJOR VIOLATIONS ……………………………………………………………………….        12

 

TERMINATION VIOLATIONS ……………………………………………………………..         13

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ……………………………………………………………….          14

 

SUPPORT NETWORK ……………………………………………………………………….        15

 

BUDGETING …………………………………………………………………………………         16

 

HELPFUL TIPS ………………………………………………………………………………         17

 

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ……………………………………………………………..           18

 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ……………………………………………………………………….         19

 

 

   

WELCOME TO DAMASCUS WAY

 

 

The Bible tells us in Acts 9:1-22 that it was on the road to the city of Damascus that the Apostle Paul met Jesus Christ and had his life changed forever.  Since then, the phrase “ Damascus Road ” has symbolized a time or place in a person’s life where they come to the end of themselves and give their lives to God.

 

The men who come to Damascus Way are here because they have lost their freedom.  The misuse of freedom results in being locked up in addictions, destructive behaviors, and ultimately, iron bars & concrete walls.  Most of the men who come here state that they are determined to never go back - but without learning to use their freedom in a different way they often end up right back in bondage.

 

The Damascus Way program is about freedom and change.  Getting free and remaining free requires a change of direction, a change in thinking and in habits, doing things differently.  The power to make these changes comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ - “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36.  But we are not just talking about physical freedom from the walls of prison - if a man does not become free from the things which led to him being incarcerated in the first place, he will not remain physically free for very long.  The Good News is that Jesus Christ offers us Four Freedoms, all of which are crucial to experiencing the abundant life He promises:

 

 

In Christ, we can have freedom from

                                   

                                    Sin and Shame -          Christ’s death on the cross paid for all of our sins so we no longer have to carry the burden of guilt over the things we have done.  His grace can wash us clean and give us a new start!

                                                                                                                                    Romans 8:1-2

 

 

                        Satan -                         The devil is real and has the power to hold people in bondages such as addiction, fear, lust, and hatred.  Christ’s death and resurrection defeated the devil completely and this victory is available to all who call on the name of Jesus Christ!

                                                                                                                        John 10:9-10

 

 

                                    Self -                            Our greatest enemy is often our own selves - our habits, thoughts, desires and emotions.  The Bible says that the kind of thoughts we think determines the kind of person we will be (Proverbs 23:7).  God has given us the Bible and has placed His Holy Spirit in those who follow Christ so that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  By walking in Truth by the power of God’s Spirit we can master our thoughts and emotions and be the people we were created to be!

                                                                                                                                    Romans 12:1-2

 

 

Shackles -                   When a man is free from sin, Satan and self, he will not find himself in trouble with the law again!                                                                                            Galatians 5:1

 

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

During your first two days in the program, your Caseworker will conduct an orientation with you.  They will go over some paperwork, rules and expectations, show you around the building and help you get started on setting up your personal goals.  Below is a brief outline of the orientation process:

 

Day 1              Meet your Caseworker

                        Review Individual Service Plan, Employment Guidelines, House Rules, etc.

                        Get your bedding, room key, hygiene kit and lamp

                        Get a tour of the building

 

Day 1-2           Turn in and review your completed Individual Service Plan with your Caseworker

                        Finish filling out any uncompleted paperwork

 

First week       Begin making business appointments: ID card, Social Security, etc.

                        Go in for your GRH appointment (SR/ISR only).

                        Begin setting up job interviews, begin going out on job searches. 

 

Individual Service Plan (ISP)   (See pg 4)

During your stay here you will be working toward the goals you have set in your ISP.  Some of these

goals will include Christian growth, Employment and Housing, building a Support Network and

Budgeting your time and money. We will be working with you to evaluate your progress toward

these goals.  You must be making satisfactory progress on this plan in order to remain at Damascus .

 

Employment   (see pg 5)

You are expected to obtain 40 hr/wk employment within 30 days of your arrival.  Job search is your

full-time job until you are employed.  We have a number of guidelines concerning your employment.

 

Sign-out / Call-in Procedures   (see pg 6)

It is very important to know these rules.  Warrants can be issued for your arrest if you fail to follow

them exactly.  Remember to never leave the facility without staff approval and to never stay out of

touch for more than two hours.

 

Free-time Passes   (see Pgs 7-8)

Free-time away from the facility is a privilege, not a right.  Both WR & SR/ISR should consider themselves as restricted to the facility during their entire stay here - except for work, support group and church.  Some free-time can be earned, however, through compliance with program requirements and progress on your ISP.

 

Release Plan

You will need to supply us with the address of where you plan to live when you leave.  SR/ISR must submit this plan at least 14 days before your exit date.  WR plans are due 90 days before your SRD.

 

Requirements for Successful Completion     

            Complete any mandated time

            Comply with Conditions of Release

            Achieve Satisfactory progress on Individual Service Plan

            Be employed full-time

            Have an approved Housing/Release Plan and Budget authorized by agent

            Have all Damascus Way and DOC accounts paid in full

 


RESIDENTIAL AGREEMENT   (condensed)

 

 

I understand that my admission is based upon my agreeing to follow the program requirements as outlined below:

 

1.                    I agree to comply with all rules and policies as outlined in my Conditions of Release, Resident Handbook and in this agreement.

 

2.                    Residents will submit an Individual Service Plan consisting of their goals within 48 hrs of their arrival. Residents must be actively working on an approved ISP in order to remain in the program.  In order to successfully complete the program, residents must have made at least ‘satisfactory’ progress on their ISP goals as determined by their Caseworker.

 

3.                    Residents will maintain 100% accountability for all time spent away from the facility.  Residents may only leave the facility with prior staff approval and must follow all supervision, sign-out, and call-in guidelines.

 

4.                    SR/ISR Residents must apply for GRH.  Residents not qualifying for GRH must pay their own room & board, staying at least one week ahead.  If a Resident cannot pay, then once he is working he will pay 50% of his paycheck each payday until he is a week ahead.  Residents are responsible to notify GRH when they are employed.   When a resident’s GRH benefits are terminated they are responsible to pay their own room & board.  Residents who fall behind may be terminated from the program.

 

5.                    Work Release residents do not qualify for GRH but can apply for MA.

 

6.                    Residents will obtain full-time employment within 30 days of arrival.  Residents are expected to work 40 hours/week.  Residents will be actively job-searching during 8am - 4pm Monday - Friday.  Failure to find employment by the deadline and to maintain full-time employment may result in restriction or termination.  Residents should look for first shift jobs.  Paychecks must have company name and show taxes withheld.  Residents may work weekends but not Sunday mornings due to church requirements.

 

7.                    Residents will notify their employer of their legal status at the time of their application process.  Damascus Way staff may conduct an on-site employment checks.  Residents must complete a Job Report form and turn it in before they begin working.  Residents will turn in a copy of their pay stub each pay period to confirm employment and hours worked.  WR will submit MO.

 

8.                    Residents will be on time for curfews, meals and house meetings.  Residents will attend and participate in house groups.  Failure to do so will result in loss of privileges.

 

9.                    Free-time and visitation are not rights but privileges which are earned and maintained by compliance with programs rules and progress on the ISP.  Residents who fail to comply with program rules will lose privileges according to the discipline policy.

 

10.                 TV’s, DVD players, computers, boomboxes, cell phones, magazine subscriptions are not allowed. 

 

11.                 There will be no physical or verbal abuse or threatening behavior (i.e., fighting, shoving, threats, swearing).  There will be no speaking against the Damascus Way program or staff.

 

12.                 There will be no use of alcohol or drugs except approved, prescription medication.  Residents on prescribed medications will show proof of a doctor’s prescription and must turn in all such medications to the office.  Residents will only be given medications according to the dosages and times prescribed.

 

13.                 Residents in the program will be given U/A’s and B/A’s on a random basis.  Drug testing will also be administered in cases of suspicion or unaccountability.  Failure to furnish a U/A within two hours of request is grounds for immediate dismissal.  If a resident is unable to produce a specimen upon request he will be required to remain within full view of staff until he can.  During this time he will only be allowed to drink a maximum of 12 ounces of fluid.  Residents must comply with the exact protocol for giving a U/A which will be explained to residents at the time of their first U/A. 

 

14.                 Residents who are terminated or abscond will have a maximum of 14 days to make arrangements for their belongings.  Personal possessions not removed by then will become the property of Damascus Way and will be removed.  In some cases the possessions will not be released without authorization by the Agent.  Permission may be given at intake to release property to resident’s Emergency Contact. 

 

15.                 Damascus Way is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal property.  Do not keep any valuables here during your stay.

 

16.                 I agree to allow the Damascus Way staff to admit me to a medical facility if I am injured or ill.  Damascus Way is not responsible for my medical expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN

 

 

There is an old saying that ‘if we fail to plan, we plan to fail’.  If you study the lives of successful people you will find that one of the things they have in common is that they accomplished many achievements by setting goals for themselves.  A person without clear goals is like a ship without a rudder or a car without a steering wheel - it will never really get anywhere, and will probably end up crashing!

 

It is a requirement of the program that all residents complete an Individual Service Plan and that they are actively making progress on their goals.  You will set goals for at least the following areas:

 

                        Christian Growth

                        Finding and maintaining Employment

                        Building a Support Network in the community

                        Budgeting and saving for Release Plan

                        Acquiring appropriate Housing before release

 

In addition to the above goal areas, residents are expected to set goals which address the various issues which got them involved in the correctional system in the first place.  Examples of such areas include:

                                   

                        Chemical Health

                        Mental Health

                        Sexuality

                        Developing good thinking and habits

 

In order to receive a Successful Completion, residents must have achieved at least a ‘satisfactory’ rating on their progress in reaching the above required goals.  Your Caseworker will meet with you weekly to review your progress toward these goals.

 

Setting goals: It is one thing to set goals and another to actually reach those goals.  The key is to set clear, realistic goals and then identify the specific steps which need to be taken to accomplish them.  Below is an example of a goal and specific steps needed to reach the goal.

 

 

 

PROBLEM:          Chemically dependent         

Target Date

GOAL:                 Stay sober

 

TASKS:#1.   Find an AA or NA group I like and attend once a week.  Talk to

                      Caseworker and call Intergroup for meeting times and locations.

Within 2 weeks

            #2.    Get a sponsor and meet weekly with him; call him when I am

                      Struggling.

Within a month

            #3.    Work on the 4th Step: study Big Book and discuss with my sponsor

                      and Caseworker.  Present this at house group when ready.  

Complete by 60 days

            #4.    Stay away from people who use; Develop sober network by

                      going to church service, support meetings, etc.        

Immediately

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

 

Residents will be expected to obtain a 40 hr/wk, 1st shift job within 30 days of arrival.  This may seem

difficult to you but many are only here for a short time – and we want to get you on your feet as soon

as possible.  A common problem residents encounter is looking for the perfect job too soon.  You will find

employment more quickly if you accept an entry level, lower paying job.  Once you have been hired and fulfilled

our program requirements, you can begin a more serious search for housing and a job more suited to your long

term goals.

 

You will need to be actively job-searching during the hours of 8am - 4pm Monday - Friday.  Failure to be active in

job search, find employment by the deadline or maintain full-time employment may result in restriction or

termination.  Whether or not these things become a violation and the severity of the consequence depends on your

effort.  If you are working hard on your plans and not wasting time you don’t need to fear termination.

 

Residents will notify their employer of their legal status at the time of their application process.  Damascus Way

staff may conduct an on-site employment check within seven days of employment as well as periodic calls to

verify your status.  Residents must complete a Job Report form and turn it in before they begin working.  Residents

will turn in a copy of their pay stub each pay period to confirm employment and hours worked.  Your earnings

must be paid by a company check with taxes withheld.  Residents may work weekends but not Sunday mornings

due to church requirements.

 

Following are some guidelines.  They are not exhaustive and we reserve the right to give you further direction.

 

-You must be working 40 hours per week

-You must be paid on a company check with paystub showing hours worked and taxes withheld

-You may not leave the house before 5am

-You may not work through Daily Labor (where you show up in the morning and hope to get put to work)

-Some Temp agencies may work out but most won’t, see your Caseworker for guidelines

-You may not have a driving/delivery job

- Damascus must be able to reach you at any time during the day

-You may not work outside of the immediate Metro area, see your Caseworker for guidelines

   

 

Work Release residents have additional guidelines on a separate sheet, be sure you receive one.

   

SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES

 

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

 

            1.  Going to one destination -    Fill out your Sign-Out card       

               

 

2.  Going to more than one location - Fill out a Daily Planner and write ‘See Planner’ on your Sign-Out card

 

 

            3.  Information Needed on Sign-Out card or Daily Planner

 

                        Name of Location                     (Target, Mother’s house, Calvary Lutheran Church )

Address                                   (Please include name of city)

Phone #

Purpose for leaving                   (Job search, Buy clothes, visit, Wed night church service)

Method of Transportation         (Bus routes, My car, Sister’s car)

Return Time - only on Sign-Out card

(You need to state a time that you will return by)

 

 

            4.  Staff Authorization Needed

 

Bring your completed Sign-Out card or Daily Planner to the desk staff for approval

 

 

            5.  Punching Out

 

Punching out is the last thing you do before leaving.  Don’t punch out before you actually leave

 

CALL-IN PROCEDURES

 

Calling in is very important, when in doubt - CALL IN

 

            CALL:                        When you arrive at every location

           

            CALL:                        Before two hours goes by from your last call-in

 

            EXCEPT:        While at work

 

Call when you change any plans: how you’re traveling (bus to car), the order on your Daily Planner, Return Time, etc.

 

Use the first # on your yellow card and call from desk phones, home phones, etc.  If you have to use a payphone, use the second #.  If you cannot find a phone at your exact location, find the nearest one.  Always give the location of the payphone you are using (“I’m calling from the corner of 5th St & Hennepin downtown”, “I’m at the BP Gas Station at 1201 Franklin ”).

 

Calls from cell phones or calls which do not register on caller ID will not be accepted.  You may be asked to call again from  a different phone.

 

If a Resident is out of contact with the facility for more than 2 hours (except at work) a warrant may be issued!

 

   Verifiable locations:         are locations with a specific address and phone number where staff can call you any time.

   Unverifiable locations:  are locations with no specific address or no phone number where staff can call you at                                               anytime, such as shopping malls, parks, beaches.

 

WORK RELEASE PASS TIME (includes SR)

 

 

Level 1 & 2 programming offers few privileges beyond seeking and maintaining employment or pre-approved vocational training.  The following outlines the maximum furlough privileges for Work Release offenders placed at Damascus Way . 

 

 

 

            1.  Offenders must be on house restriction a minimum of 24 hours and in addition, have developed an                      Individual Service Plan with their Caseworker prior to being granted job-seeking passes.

 

            2.  Offenders will be granted job-seeking passes focusing on first shift employment.

 

            3.  Offenders will be granted limited goal related passes such as obtaining a driver's license, support                        group attendance, church services, etc.

 

4.  Offenders can obtain weekend passes for up to 8 hours if the offender has maintained steady work   

for 2 weeks (80 hours with the same employer) and has turned in half of his first paycheck and has had a positive adjustment.

 

*Once an offender starts receiving passes, the goal related activities (support group attendance, church services, etc.) should be incorporated with these passes.

 

The expectation is that few passes will be granted to offenders.

 


5.  Offenders can obtain weekend passes for up to 12 hours if the offender has been at Damascus Way

for 30 days, maintained steady employment for 30 days (160 hours with the same employer) and has had a positive adjustment. 

 

6.   Offenders can obtain weekday evening passes for up to 6 hours if the offender has been at Damascus

      Way for 60 days, has maintained steady employment for 60 days (with the same employer) and has had

      a positive adjustment.

 

7.      All earned passes include travel time.

 

8.      Curfew is always 10:30 pm.

 

            


ISR PASS TIME

 

All ISR Residents are on House Arrest status until pass time is earned.  House Arrest is defined by the DOC as follows:

 

The offender shall not leave the approved residence except for pre-approved employment, employment-seeking activities, training, treatment, or community service responsibilities.  The agent/residential program (DW) shall authorize absence for the exact amount of time required by the activity…  Transportation time shall only permit the offender to use available transportation to transit directly to and from the approved location.  The agent/residential program (DW) may authorize additional time for the offender to purchase food, necessary items of clothing, and prescription medication.  Offenders may attend religious services once per week. 

 

Based on the above definition of House Arrest, ISR Residents at Damascus Way will only be allowed to leave the facility according to the following guidelines:

 

                        Apply for GRH or Social Security benefits

                        Get a birth certificate, state ID, or driver’s permit/license

                        Pick up clothing or personal belongings from storage

                        Purchase necessary clothing items such as work clothes, shoes, coat

                        Cash checks or open bank accounts

                        Vehicle-related necessities such as car repairs, oil changes, getting gas

 


                        For job-search or to go to work

                        To attend pre-approved treatment or support groups

                        To attend a pre-approved church service once weekly

                        To attend pre-approved appointments such as medical, Agent, haircut (1/month) etc.

                        For pre-approved housing search when appropriate

                        For pre-approved shopping passes for the following basic necessities:  hygiene products,                                               stamps/envelopes, basic clothing necessities, over-the-counter medication, cigarettes, etc.

 

Support Groups:

ISR Residents must attend one support group (AA, NA, Prison Fellowship, Wed night church service, etc.) outside the house with authorization from their Caseworker.

 

Church Attendance:

ISR Residents must attend a Sunday morning church service.  Resident needs to provide their Caseworker with the name of the church and the exact time and location of the services.  If you are a L3 S/O, DW will help you introduce yourself to the pastor.

 

Pass time is earned for ISR Residents as follows:

                                 

One 4-hour weekend pass after 80 hours of continuous employment with 1 employer

                        Two 4-hour weekend passes (not one 8-hr pass) after 60 days of continuous employment w/1 employer

                        All earned passes include travel time

                        Employment must be maintained

                        Curfew is always 10:30 pm

 

ISR Residents may not run errands for other Residents.

 

 

 ALL SUPERVISED RELEASE (SR) - FOLLOW WORK RELEASE RULES

 

 


GENERAL HOUSE RULES

 

Bedroom Standards - Rooms are to be kept clean and orderly at all times, including making beds daily.  Room checks are done daily to ensure that beds are made, clothes put away, and dressers and closets neat and orderly.  Room inspections are conducted weekly to ensure that vacuuming, dusting and trash removal are done.

- Residents are only allowed to have a reasonable amount of personal property for closet & dresser – Staff will determine  

   limits and may ask you to reduce amount.  Dresser-top & headboard shelf shall remain neat and orderly.

- No candles or incense; Do not affix anything to bunks or walls; Room 5 will not hang anything in doorways.

- Residents are expected to show consideration to their roommates with regard to turning lights on, playing music, etc.

- No boomboxes are allowed, only small clock radios.  Volume will be kept low.

- Residents are not allowed to enter other bedrooms unless given permission by a Resident of that room who remains present.

- Residents are expected to keep their rooms locked when they are not in the room.

- Residents are issued a room key, and there will be a $10 charge for lost keys.

- Staff conduct random room searches for contraband.  Possessiuon of such items may result in termination.

 

Church attendance - All Residents are required to find and attend a Sunday church service.  Staff and other Residents can offer suggestions of area churches to consider.

 

Contraband - The following items are not permitted on the premises of Damascus Way , and Residents found in possession of any of these items are subjected to termination from the program:

                Firearms or weapons of any kind - guns, knives, sharpened instruments, etc.

               Explosives of any kind - ammunition, gunpowder, fireworks

               Pornography of any kind - magazines, pictures, videos

  Intoxicants of any kind - alcoholic beverages, products w/alcohol in them such as mouthwash or cough medicine

               Mood altering substances of any kind or related paraphernalia (all prescription medications must have a written doctor’s authorization and must be locked in the office)

               Sexual or Occultic / Satanic literature, music, or paraphernalia

 

Curfews - Curfews are laid out in the weekly schedule.  Missed curfews may result in loss of free time or other privileges.  If a Resident is over 1 hour late for any curfew he will be considered absconded.

 

Dress Code - Residents are expected to dress appropriately when outside of their rooms.  No bare feet allowed except in bedrooms and shower.  Shirts must be worn outside your room.  You must be fully dressed in street clothes when you are downstairs.  Clothing displaying references to drugs, alcohol, violence, or other things inconsistent with Christian values are not permitted. 

 

House Jobs -