Episode 77, Part 1: Christine Blessinger at Putnamville Correctional Facility

Hope, Rehabilitation, and Successful Reintegration with Christine Blessinger

Christine Blessinger is the Deputy Commissioner of Reentry and Youth Services at the Indiana Department of Correction. With over 23 years of experience in the field, she has dedicated her career to criminal justice reform, overseeing programs that support incarcerated individuals in their transition back into society. Her work includes managing vocational training, educational initiatives, and employment assistance programs such as the Hoosier Initiative for Reentry (HIRE). Throughout her tenure, she has remained a steadfast advocate for rehabilitation, fostering trust within correctional facilities and implementing programs that offer real opportunities for success post-release.

In this interview, Blessinger shares her journey into the world of corrections, from her early interest in criminology to her realization that she could make a real difference in the lives of justice-impacted individuals. She discusses the power of programs like The Last Mile, which provides incarcerated individuals with education in technology and presentation skills, helping to rebuild confidence and hope. The conversation highlights the importance of employment and stable housing as pillars of successful reentry and the role that correctional staff play in building trust and guiding individuals toward transformation. Blessinger also speaks candidly about the challenges of the system, emphasizing that true rehabilitation requires consistency, honesty, and investment from both the correctional system and the individuals themselves.

Episode Outline

(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:00) Discovering a Passion for Criminal Justice
(00:04:00) Personal Connections to Justice-Impacted Individuals
(00:05:00) Role as Deputy Commissioner of Reentry and Youth Services
(00:06:00) Importance of Education and Vocational Programs
(00:07:00) Building Trust Within Correctional Facilities
(00:09:00) Impact of The Last Mile Program
(00:10:00) Overcoming False Bravado and Building Confidence
(00:11:00) Employment as the Key to Reentry Success
(00:12:00) Expanding The Last Mile to Other Facilities
(00:13:00) Encouraging Accountability Among Incarcerated Individuals
(00:14:00) Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Episode Resources:

With a 75% post-incarceration employment rate and less than 5% recidivism rate, The Last Mile has created a new precedent for job opportunities and sustainable wages for justice-impacted individuals. By giving returned citizens proper training while incarcerated, job search support, and following up with support services, The Last Mile is moving the needle on Fair Chance employment.

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