Work Group to House People with Sex Offense Histories
Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2013
In attendance: Carl Cignoni, Hampshire County Corrections/DOC Re-entry; Steve Connor, Veterans Services, Joe Critelli, Hampden County Corrections, Danielle DeBerry, ServiceNet, Ellie Harris, ServiceNet, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Laurie Smith, ServiceNet
Update on meeting with Valley CDC:
Pamela reported back on her and Laurie Guidry’s meeting with Valley CDC executive director and one board member on 11/26. It was a very positive conversation, clearly providing them with new information and insight on the issue. We clarified our expectation of very small steps, surrounded by clear criteria and support services. They agreed to bring it back to their board for further consideration at their January meeting (December agenda already full). Will talk again in January.
They were interested in getting a fuller portrait of current housing supply for sex offenders and number of sex offenders in the area.
Reviewed housing stock available to sex offenders and confirmed that for Hampshire/Franklin Counties, ServiceNet is the only housing provider that allows sex offenders (on a case-by-case basis):
In Northampton:
Florence Inn – permanent housing, 12 units.
Hawley Street – 2 bedrooms, including transitional and permanent (but less likely to have sex offenders because of proximity to day care).
Currently housing 3 sex offenders in Northampton. Tenancies are totally uneventful.
In Greenfield:
School Street , transitional housing – 5 beds
Silver Street – 10 beds
Fort Square – 2 apartments, houses 4 people
Farren House (Turners Falls), transitional – houses 8 or 9 people
Also noted other private housing in Greenfield and Northampton, although extremely limited.
Re: numbers of offenders – Pamela will check with Sgt. Anne McMahon to get current number for Northampton
Update on SMOC meeting: scheduled with 2 SMOC administrators in Framingham on 12/16. Will keep everyone posted after conversation.
Update on Joe Critelli’s visit to Fred Smith’s program in Boston. So impressive, the multi-tiered approach to living/job development/skill-building, etc.
Next meeting date:
Tuesday, January 7, 1 pm, Northampton Senior Center
