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LOUDOUN AFTERCARE PROGRAM (LAP) Peggy Anthony
Several Loudoun County local churches came together in September, 2005 to establish a faith-based re-entry program for offenders being released from prison to community. Mentors receive intense training that includes presentations and education from community resources to law enforcement, including probation and parole. Probation and Parole Officer Miran McClendon is actively involved and serves as a liaison for the District 25 office and LAP. Mentors begin their mentoring 3 – 6 months prior to the release date and work with the offenders to establish goals to begin their transition. A Life Plan is created with the inmate prioritizing what their needs will be upon release and what they can begin to work on while in prison or jail. The mentor then works with the inmate to help them accomplish these goals to create a smoother transition back into the community. The mentor will attempt to be at the prison or the jail on the release date to bring them back to Loudoun County. The mentor will also work with family members when appropriate, help with job search and a place to live. The mentors will also assist the offender in keeping their supervision obligations such as meetings with the officer and community service. In a place and time where resources are limited, this is a much welcomed program.
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Mira McClendon joined Virginia Corrections in 2004 after a year in Fairfax and Loudoun County Community Corrections programs. He moved to the Northern Virginia area from Indianapolis where he had worked for four years as a Probation Officer and four years as a Marion County Probation Supervisor. |