Pioneer Selected for Geiger Corrections Center Treatment Program in Spokane

Pioneer Human Services assumed operation of the drug and alcohol treatment program at Geiger Corrections Center on 11/21/17, Geiger Lt. Joanne Lake announced.

Geiger inmates wishing to enter treatment must be serving a sentence long enough to allow for completion of the intensive out-patient (IOP) program--typically 13 to 16 weeks. They are first assessed by independent chemical dependency professional (CDP), Penny Penton, of Partners With Families & Children. The assessment determines their need for treatment and the level of their substance use disorder. Offender must agree to abide by program rules, complete all homework and not miss any group sessions. The program is funded by a limited allocation of the voter-approved 1/10th of 1 percent Spokane County retail sales tax collected specifically to fund mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Participation is voluntary.

Former Geiger treatment counselor Diane White has joined Pioneer Human Services and is one of two state-certified CDP’s assigned by Pioneer to the Geiger contract. Ms. White's familiarity of Geiger’s operations and custody staff allowed Pioneer to hit the ground running.

Geiger operates two treatment groups, each consisting of 12 inmates. The groups meet three hours per session, with three sessions per week. Treatment inmates also attend weekly self-help groups such as Celebrate Recovery, AA, Narcotics Anonymous, religious services and bible study.

Lt. Lake explained that Pioneer has served as a treatment provider to Spokane County courts for many years. “Detention Services is familiar with Pioneer’s work as both an inpatient and outpatient treatment provider. Although inmates are confined to Geiger during their treatment and live together on a designated floor, Geiger’s treatment is defined as "outpatient" by Washington State law. Pioneer has changed the curriculum of Geiger Treatment from Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) to Thinking For A Change, which has been taught by Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) since 2012. Also new is “Seeking Safety; a therapeutic model addressing addiction and the trauma that often accompanies addiction. For many, trauma directly led to their addictions.”

Lt. Lake is working to bring Pioneer Human services' treatment program to Spokane County Jail early in 2017. “Geiger’s dormitory housing poses problems for some with mental health or medical issues, and those presenting greater safety and security risks. Despite the jail’s logistical obstacles to providing in-custody treatment, we want to make it available to those people, too.”