Since early 2006, MPRI Wayne County and Northwest Detroit Weed and Seed’s ReEntry Project have been providing transportation assistance to MPRI participants returning to Detroit via the Greyhound Bus. 

Those returning are greeted by a Reentry Project member, a Detroit Police Department Weed and Seed Police Officer, or MPRI partners who ascertain what their immediate transportation needs are.  For those paroling to a commercial facility, van transportation is provided directly to the building.  For those paroling to residential homes, they are provided with adequate bus tickets to get home, and return to their parole agent the next morning.

The individuals transported to the commercial housing facility are also given an adequate amount of bus tickets to report to their parole agent the following morning.

When asked what impact he felt it was having on Wayne County’s efforts to improve a parolee’s success, Agent Rodney Owens recalled a recent orientation session with a parolee who was in commercial housing, wherein the parolee remarked, “Even though they told me they were going to be at the Greyhound Station when I met with them [during in reach], I was surprised. I don’t know how I would have gotten here, and it would have been the same old thing as last time, starting off wrong, and not reporting. ”  

Weed and Seed Police Officer Myra Gracey, who also manages the ReEntry Project’s Mens Clothing Closet at the Northwestern Police District noted that the combination of community reentry efforts and personal accountability from former prisoners to succeed, will result in a positive impact on the community.

During MPRI Wayne County Transition Team (reentry preparation) visits, returning prisoners are advised that if they are returning to Detroit on the Greyhound bus, they will be met and assisted with their immediate transportation needs.  In addition to the bus tickets, all are given bus route maps and the name and contact information for their parole agent, and a reminder to call and make arrangements to see their assigned community case management agency. 

Parolees are provided additional transportation assistance in the form of bus tickets, and/or weekly bus passes at their orientation session with their parole agent and community case management agencies to attend job training sessions and maintain employment.