When given the opportunity to volunteer in the Colorado Department of Corrections to run recovery support groups for those who were incarcerated, I jumped on it. Two years ago, I started a nonprofit recovery community center in a rural county. I knew the value of support for individuals who have suffered trauma, addiction, homelessness and other mental health challenges including incarceration. I have been in and out of prison 7 times before a became a certified recovery coach to use my lived experience to help others. I know personally what it's like to get out of jail or prison homeless with no support, addicted to drugs, wanting to change but not knowing where to start. We are now in our local county jail. Offering peer support teaches the inmates that change is possible and how to respectfully support one another. This can change the culture within the jail/prison. Creating a safe place to share their struggles, growth and goals is an invaluable resource for both staff and inmates.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how to find the right peer with the lived experience to allow into your facility. I offer a punch list of things to look for.
Describe and define what a recovery coach role is in and out of the jail/prison setting.
Conduct a "recovery circle" meeting which is the model used by the Discovery Cafe. The ability to demonstrate the meeting to their staff and implement it in their jail.
Will be able to define what is a recovery community center. They will be able to describe how jail based case managers and security staff can benefit.
They will be able to list the benefits the inmate population will have from this non clinical peer led support group and aftercare
