The Bridge Center

Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment
Services are confidential
 

Located at the Barnstable County court complex in Barnstable Village, The Bridge Center is a first-of-its-kind facility on Cape Cod. It’s a dedicated, community-facing hub for continued support after incarceration. 

The Bridge Center connects individuals with the tools, relationships, and services they need to succeed. It will provide a broad slate of structured post-release wraparound services in partnership with trusted local organizations. These include clinical care, job training, housing navigation, education pathways, parenting supports, arts and culture exposure, and other stabilizing resources designed to reduce recidivism and improve mental health and public safety outcomes.

The Bridge Center is part of Public Safety 2.0, a modern approach to corrections that begins on the first day of incarceration and goes on for as long as necessary. It's accountability with support and structure. It's the result of two years of systems planning, community partnership development, and reorganization of correctional programming. It establishes a continuity-of-care model in which clinical and practical supports begin on Day One of incarceration, are embedded into a person’s entire time in custody, and maintained after release through strategic connections with community partners.

This initiative is supported by a coalition of community-based organizations and service providers across sectors including healthcare, education, housing, behavioral health, workforce development, arts, culture, and family support. These trusted partners bring local expertise and long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for individuals impacted by the justice system.

Services at The Bridge Center

12-Step Meeting:

• AA Bridging the Gap, Mondays, 10-30-11:30 a.m.

Duffy Health Center’s Justice Involved Community Health Worker available Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Duffy's health worker is available to support individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system, including those recently released from jail or prison, on probation or parole, or participating in diversion or reentry programs.

Skilled Purpose
Skilled Purpose teaches hands-on carpentry skills to incarcerated individuals, and, separately, to people in recovery from substance use disorder. But it's more than vocational training. The founders and instructors provide mentorship, and a pathway to financial independence. Co-founder, Vincent English, and many instructors have lived experiences with addiction and recovery. Graduates of the 12-week program have the opportunity to transition into meaningful employment, through a partnership with the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod.

Attorney Robert Mascali, of Mirick, is available by appointment for free consultations the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Attorney Mascali has more than 45 years of experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors and has received a number of awards for his pro bono services. Make an appointment up to two days in advance here: thebridgecenter@bsheriff.net

Drop-In Support Group for Justice Involved Individuals, Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A welcoming space for formerly incarcerated individuals to connect, find resources, share challenges and successes, while on the path to reintegration.

FORSS Liaison by appointment.  Family members of justice-involved individuals can meet with a liaison from Family Outreach, Resource, & Support Services (FORSS) to get help navigating the incarceration process and accessing community resources. Email thebridgecenter@bsheriff.net for an appointment.

MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center, 3rd Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Career expert will coach, advise and share tips on career readiness, and resume writing. Come learn about job fairs and hiring events, labor market information and more.