A communication plan for policymakers and also for people recently released from Delaware’s prison systems into their parole and probation programs.
Chapter 1: The Issue, The Problem, the Opportunity
Info on Delaware: Describe how the system works here / how many inmates / how many in the probation and parole system, etc. Mental health issues specific to Delaware prisons if you can find that info.
What laws and policies should change to decrease recidivism by specifically addressing mental health among inmates and parolees?
Chapter 2: Advocacy and Policy Change Plan
How do these laws and policies get changed? (More therapists available, better mental health apps? Special apps created specifically for inmates, etc.)
What needs to happen? Who are the policymakers that can make changes? What’s the step-by-step plan to reach these policymakers and change policy? Don’t forget prisons themselves – Who runs them? Are they public? Private? Both? Can the prison administrations (boards of directors/CEOs, etc.) make these changes without having to pass any laws?
Chapter 2: Advocacy Communication Plan
What are the messages most likely to appeal to people in power? How do you know what the most affective messages would be? If you don’t know, what kinds of research needs to happen (surveys, focus groups, etc.)
Chapter 3: Social Marketing Plan – Reaching the inmates and parolees directly
What are the messages inmates and parolees need to hear (i.e. here’s how you access help / here are the resources / Here are phone numbers / websites, apps, etc.
How do we get those messages to inmates?
Posters, flyers, cards inserted into cigarette packs, toiletries, etc.
Social media plan – What social media do the inmates use? Can they use social media?
Chapter 4: How is this all going to work? How much will it cost?
Simple budget tables
Who does the work?
Etc.
Chapter 5: Continuous Improvement
Evaluation Plan and metrics
How do we make sure this continues to improve and makes Delaware a leader among U.S. states?