It's called, disparagingly, the revolving door -- the syndrome in which many parolees fail to overcome the obstacles to restarting their lives, commit new crimes and wind up back in prison.
Willie Thomas knows. Now approaching middle age, he's been in and out of jail and prison for more than two decades.
But on a spring day in downtown Los Angeles, he found himself in the graduating class at a program he has been attending faithfully since his last parole two years ago -- and this time, he has not tripped up.
"This program helps keep me out of trouble," said Thomas.
Located on Sunset Boulevard near the Harbor Freeway, it's called the Sunset Day Reporting Center, a place where parolees can find support, training, classes for life skills, as well as leads on jobs.
Thomas struggled with anger management. He found there was a class for that.
"After I completed the program, I could see my attitude change," Thomas said.
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"We're motivating parolees to think differently," said Chris Mays, program director at the center, which is run by a private company, Behavioral Systems Southwest, Inc., under contract to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
It had been named simply the Department of Corrections until a decade ago when "and Rehabilitation" was added. It was about the same time that the Sunset Day Reporting Center opened, among a number of other state initiatives to help parolees succeed.
"When we talk about adding that R-word, yes, rehabilitation is taking place," said Mays.
One of the center's strongest programs is an arrangement with Caltrans to provide 90 days of roadside work. For those who show diligence and ambition, it can lead to offers of longer term employment.
Eukeema Jones used the Caltrans opportunity to transition back to working after 15 years in prison for strong arm robbery. At the time, Jones was in business college studying accounting.
"After you're convicted of robbery, I don't think anybody wants you counting their money," Jones says with awareness, but not bitterness.
Jones took several classes while in custody providing options to pursue -- but facing the working world again can be intimidating.
"I believe in the power of positive thinking," said Jones, "but the fear factor --argh!"
Day Reporting Center Alumni often return for graduation ceremonies to share their stories and offer encouragement.
Linda Johnson urged the graduating parolees to apply for jobs at Farmer John in Vernon, as she did after completing the Caltrans program at the Day Reporting Center. She now works in sanitation in the bacon department.
"I just decided when I came home I was going to find something and accomplish it," Johnson said. "Either you want to keep messing up, or straighten out. The choice is yours."
Another alum, Norman, was only 17 when he was sentenced to a life term, and served 33 years before being paroled.
"When they gave me an opportunity, I was not going to look back," said Norman, who asked that his last name not be used.
He returned to society never having had a bank account, or owned a cellphone. For him, the Day Reporting Center "opens up opportunities."
Leo is another former "lifer" who returned to the Day Reporting Center for the April graduation. He described the Caltrans work as a "steppingstone" to other opportunities, including a job at a roofing company. He acknowledged that job did not last long. Why not?
"I'm scared of heights," he confided. "I thought finding a job would be hard...but if you want to work, you can find a job."
Leo now works as a driver at the same company where Norman works, he said.
"It's not easy," said Santiago Flores, a parole agent specialist for the adult programs unit in Southern California. "But the ones that want help will get it."
A common theme of the programs is preparing the parole to get and keep a regular job. Overall, about 37 percent of parolees work more than 20 hours a week, according to the most recent CDCR figure.
Flores estimates it's more than 50 percent for parolees who take the programs.
Thomas had worked off and on over the years as a forklift operator, and since his release has been able to use that skill to get steady work.
"This is the first time I've been without a violation since '96," Thomas said. "It's a big change. I hope this program will continue to stay open."
