Friends Outside

1010 Emeline, Bldg C
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
tel 831.427.5070
fax 831.423.6267
http://scvolunteercenter.com/friendsoutside/default.asp

The goal of Friends Outside is to help lessen the trauma of incarceration for inmates and their families, to provide information that can lead to positive changes, and to assist ex-offenders with their re-entry into the community.

Jail Visiting Services
Volunteers visit all four facilities on a regular basis. Prisoners can write to us at the address on the back of this brochure or put in a request to see us on a green form from the housing unit. We also accept visiting requests from families, friends, attorneys and parole officers. We are unable to accept collect calls.We provide support and assistance to prisoners who request our help. Some things we do are:

• Property retrieval and storage
• Acting as a liaison between attorneys, family and other agencies
• Providing confidential visits with a knowledgeable and supportive volunteer
• Providing information about community services and drug/alcohol programs
• Helping with emergencies caused by incarceration
• Bring in resources such as dictionaries, reading glasses, bus passes, and writing tablets
• Help with limited legal and financial situations
• Begin planning post-release resources and referrals through the Aftercare process

Post-Release Services
After release from jail or prison, a client can meet with an Aftercare case manager for a one-stop resource and referral. Case managers offer support and advocate for clients, help facilitate post-release plans and provide applicable services.

We make every effort to provide the information needed in the first few days of release. Friends Outside is unable to offer financial assistance; however, we may be able to connect clients to the appropriate agencies and churches.

You may leave a message for a specific volunteer at 425-3434 or call for an appointment at 427-5070.

We can help in the following areas:

• Basic hygiene products and reading glasses
• Information on food resources, voicemail, community programs, mental health and health-related services, education, counseling and shelters
• Clothing vouchers and some clothes
• Bus passes (limited rides to court or appointments related to probation compliance) as well as maps and bus schedules
• Assistance complying with probation to prevent unnecessary incarceration (WRAP)
• Court accompaniment
• Information on local and statewide legal and criminal justice agencies
• Informal assistance with a job search
• Free copies of the Friends Outside Resource Guide
• Outreach and educational presentations about our services as appropriate

W. R. A. P.
The Warrant Reduction Advocacy Project is a community-based alternative to incarceration. It offers probationers an opportunity to receive support and assistance to comply with the terms of their probation in order to avoid incarceration. Probationers may receive additional comprehensive services including:

• Jail Visits
• Aftercare Case Management for three to six months
• Peer and Support Group