Since 1998 Walden House has offered dedicated community based residential and outpatient programs for offenders. Currently, the agency operates three residential programs for male parolees and one program for female parolees in Los Angeles, two programs for female parolees and their children (one in El Monte and one in San Francisco), a co-ed parolee residential multi-service center in San Francisco, and a community based Drug Treatment Furlough program for male inmates in Los Angeles.
Walden House has pioneered the development of cutting edge community based treatment for both male and female parolees in the state of California. A large part of this success has been the agency’s ability to develop successful partnerships with local paroles, and a variety of community based agencies in order to create programs and services that meet the needs of participants.
All of the agency’s offender programs are modified therapeutic communities that have been developed to specifically address the special issues of either the male or female offender. Additionally, Walden House has developed advanced strategies to assist participants in managing the “after effects” of the incarceration experience. Finally, all the offender programs utilize nationally recognized “Best Practices” interventions in order to improve the likelihood of successful outcomes for participants. While each Walden House offender program is unique, all of the programs are gearing toward assisting each participant in a successful return to community life.
Transitional Treatment Facility for Men: "Inglewood"
Our three sites in Inglewood can house up to 177 graduates from in-prison SAPs. Working as part of the CDCR's Drug Treatment Furlough initiative, the program provides early-release non-violent and/or non-serious offenders a client-centered therapeutic community environment in which to continue working on their substance use problems and associated behavioral issues. Programs center around cognitive behavioral therapy methods that address relapse prevention, anger management, criminal and addictive thinking, and systematic training for effective parenting. A strong partner in a thriving coalition of community service providers, Inglewood also offers a strong vocational services program for its residents, as well as a comprehensive and supportive aftercare program.
Eligibility: Male graduates of in-custody state prison treatment and/or non-serious/non-violent state inmates with less than 120 days remaining to serve.
Average length of stay: 90-180 days.
Transitional Treatment Facility for Women:“Hill Street"
Located near downtown Los Angeles, the Hill St. residential program can serve up to 70 female parolee residents at any time. The facility has been entirely renovated from an old hotel into one of the most reputable treatment programs in the Los Angeles area. The purpose of the program is to help the residents successfully transition from prison back into community.
The Hill Street Residential program provides family reunification services, parenting curriculum, anger management curriculum, domestic violence prevention classes, 12-step program services, relapse prevention, job prep and career education. In addition to addressing mental health needs, Walden House also provides excellent physical health case management. The program offers opportunities for our residents to attend social events and functions such as sporting events, plays, and music festivals. In addition to offering offer computer classes, employment opportunities and a continuum of care, the program honors all cultural events and holds many ceremonies and other fun, safe and healthy events.
Eligibility: Female parolee graduates of in-custody state prison treatment and/or non-serious/non-violent state inmates with less than 120 days remaining to serve.
Average length of stay: 90-180 days.
Hill Street Outpatient Program
Located near downtown Los Angeles, the Walden House Hill St. out-patient program serves up to 100 men and women with histories of substance abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system. The program offers gender specific groups as well as continuing psycho-educational services. Program services include:
- assessment and treatment planning,
- group and individual counseling,
- relapse prevention training
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- 12-step support
- Social and recreational services
- Referrals for employment, medical and housing assistance
Walden House also encourages clients to get involved in community services activities. Hill Street Outpatient staff make referrals to help place clients in appropriate community service activities.
Eligibility: The program is available to individuals op parole who have completed an in-prison substance abuse program within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Length of stay: Average 90-180 days
Walden House Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program (FOTEP), El Monte
Funded by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the FOTEP program in El Monte opened in September of 1999. This program serves women from Los Angeles county who are paroling from state prisons, have substance abuse and trauma issues and may be interested in reunifying with their children. The program has the capacity to serve 62 women and 30 children, ages 0-14.
El Monte provides a modified Therapeutic Community Substance Abuse Treatment Program. The focus of the program is on issues specific to needs of female offenders; trauma, relationships, communication, parenting, relapse prevention, development of pro-social behavior, the exploration of issues which drive substance abuse and criminal behavior and educational and vocational preparation. Women with mental health issues receive therapy on site and referrals for medication evaluation at the local Parole Outpatient Clinic.
The Parenting Center at El Monte is a spacious and child friendly environment with a beautiful outdoor playground. The Center provides a variety of services to children and families. Women participate in a didactic parenting course and simultaneously work shifts in the child care center with staff who teach them how to implement the skills they have learned in the classroom. Children with behavioral problems receive individual treatment and family therapy.
Finally, both education and vocational preparation are provided. Women with literacy issues and those who do not have GEDs attend school. Job readiness skills, vocational training programs and job placement services are provided. Additionally, case management is available to help clients locate both permanent and transitional housing. The goal of this program is to improve individual and family functioning and help women to successfully re-integrate back into their communities.
Walden House Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program (FOTEP), Treasure Island
Funded by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the FOTEP program on Treasure Island in San Francisco opened in June of 2002. This program serves women from Parole Region II who are paroling from state prisons, have substance abuse and trauma issues and may be interested in reunifying with their children. The program has the capacity to serve 52 women and 15 children, ages 0-12.
FOTEP TI, located on beautiful and picturesque Treasure Island, provides a modified Therapeutic Community Substance Abuse Treatment Program. The focus of the program is on issues specific to needs of female offenders; trauma, relationships, communication, parenting, family re-unification, relapse prevention, development of pro-social behavior, the exploration of issues which drive substance abuse and criminal behavior and educational and vocational preparation. Women with Mental Health issues receive therapy on site and referrals for medication evaluation at the local Parole Outpatient Clinic.
The Parenting Center on Treasure Island provides a variety of services to children and families. Women participate in a didactic parenting course and simultaneously work shifts in the child care center with staff who teach them how to implement the skills they have learned in the classroom. Children with behavioral problems receive individual treatment and family therapy. FOTEP TI has a contract with San Francisco Children’s Mental Health to provide child therapy on-site. Additionally, the program is a CPS certified Parent Training program.
Finally, both education and vocational preparation are provided. Women with literacy issues and those who do not have GEDs attend on-site school. Job readiness skills, vocational training programs and job placement services are provided. Additionally, case management is available to help clients locate both permanent and transitional housing. The goal of this program is to improve individual and family functioning and help women to successfully re-integrate back into their communities.
In-custody Drug Treatment Program (ICDTP)
In addition to case managing individuals exiting prison-based drug treatment, SASCA III also provides case management services to parolees in Los Angeles participating in the In-custody Drug Treatment Program (ICDTP). ICDTP is an intermediate sanctions program for parolees who are at risk for being returned to state prison due to drug abuse while on parole. In lieu of being returned to prison the individual is sent to a special drug treatment program located within the county jail for 60 days. Upon release the SASCA helps to place and provides payment for up to 30-days of residential substance abuse treatment within the community.
Eligibility: Parolees in Parole Region III who have completed the in-custody portion of their ICDTP program while in county jail and who are subsequently referred by their parole agent.
Length of stay: 30 days in residential community based substance abuse services.