In-Jail Treatment Builds Lives
Mr. R. found himself on the streets at a young age with no direction or support. He survived day by day engaging in criminogenic behavior and using drugs. Mr. R. reflected, “I have been involved with drugs for over half my life.”
After his last arrest, Mr. R. took advantage of the King County Corrections-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program that is operated by Pioneer in the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington. He began his recovery journey in-jail with an incredibly high level of internal motivation to better himself and to build a loving relationship with his family.
“Basically, I want the opportunity to give my daughter what I didn’t give or get myself. I have a desire to be the best father possible,” Mr. R. declared.
The in-jail program provides treatment to individuals incarcerated due to a substance use disorder (SUD). The program is comprised of a complex array of services that include established evidence-based curriculum and a therapeutic community approach. Curriculum includes Living-in-Balance and Moral Reconation Therapy that is facilitated within one of the medium security programming housing units. Participants are treated with dignity, respect, and consideration of the whole person in a trauma-informed approach.
• Living-in-Balance is a comprehensive SUD treatment program that emphasizes relapse prevention delivering psycho-educational and experiential training.
• Moral Reconation Therapy is a cognitive behavioral approach with a systematic treatment strategy that seeks to decrease recidivism in individuals who were formerly, or are currently, incarcerated by increasing moral reasoning.
Mr. R. shared that this in-jail SUD program has prepared and equipped him with helpful core skills to more effectively navigate the challenges he previously faced. He stated, “Staying calm and thinking before I act, helps me analyze things first. Before, I used to just react.” He continues to reference the benefits of learning and practicing meditation and grounding techniques.
Jordan Thornley, Pioneer’s clinical SUD manager found it very inspiring when Mr. R. was able to identify positive changes with his thoughts, attitude, and behaviors and stated, “I want a regular life now, it’s not easy, but it is not impossible.”
Mr. Thornley shared, “Mr. R. has become a leader in our therapeutic community and is committed to maintaining positive changes in his life. He brings a high level of passion to the group and is always willing to help and support the other members.” Thornley continued, “Often, Mr. R. shares his goals in such an inspiring way that other members are compelled to reflect and aspire to the goals themselves.”
Mr. R. can now be found in the program with a big smile on his face on a daily basis. He is also constantly encouraging himself and others to “Keep it positive.”