Indianapolis Hires First Director of Re-entry

An administrator with the Marion County Public Defender Agency has been named the first director of re-entry for the city of Indianapolis’ Office of Health and Public Safety.

Brooke Daunhauer, currently social service administrator with the public defender agency, will fill the new position, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday. Daunhauer will work to connect those re-entering the community following incarceration with service providers and promote public-private partnerships to fill gaps in services to foster successful reintegration within the community.

“As an advocate for those re-entering our community, Brooke understands both the systemic and personal challenges one must overcome to navigate Marion County’s criminal justice system,” Hogsett said in a statement. “Engaging directly with stakeholders and community partners, Brooke’s creative approach to problem solving and collaborative work ethic will be assets in our effort to design a criminal justice system that is compassionate and truly just.”

Daunhaur has been involved in the Marion County Re-Entry Coalition and in justice system redesign efforts, the statement said.

The announcement comes as Indianapolis is in the planning stages of a new jail, courts and criminal justice complex in the Twin Aire neighborhood that will emphasize assessment of arrestees for mental health and substance abuse issues. The appointment also comes after Wednesday’s announcement that the DOC’s Indianapolis Re-Entry Educational Facility on the near-east side will close by July 31.