Jail Outreach

The goal of the Dawn Farm Jail Outreach is to provide a therapeutic environment in the Washtenaw County Jail-for addicts and alcoholics to receive education, honestly address issues around their addiction, and learn new skills.

Through the direct support of the Community Corrections Advisory Board, Dawn Farm began this specialized Jail Outreach in 1994. Since that time, thousands of inmates have gained a vision for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

WHY WORK WITH INMATES?

Criminal justice statistics indicate that upwards of 80% of jail inmates are chemically dependent-in short, our jails are full of addicts and alcoholics. Where better to offer a solid course in recovery? People in jail have considerable time to reflect on their lives- and often are meaningfully confronted with the destruction their addiction has caused.

Dawn Farm initiated this outreach as a way to reach these men and women with a message of hope-and translate our successful clinical model into a jail setting.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

With the able supervision of corrections officers, Farm staff monitor the basic activities of all group sessions and activities, promoting a therapeutic model that contrasts with the "jail mentality." The Outreach Team works aggressively to help clients focus on feelings, build basic interpersonal skills and establish a working plan for recovery. Above all, our aim is to provide a safe place for inmates to begin addressing issues of addiction.

After an initial referral from the Community Corrections staff, Jail Outreach staff conduct intake interviews and review basic information from the courts. If an inmate is approved for admission into our program, a Treatment Plan is developed and updated on a regular basis. Inmates work on concrete, time-specific treatment goals. In addition to group sessions, the Dawn Farm Jail Outreach includes regular educational sessions that address the most basic issues of chemical dependency.

CURRICULUM

A comprehensive curriculum addresses broad issues of chemical dependency, recovery and the development of tools for living a sober and drug-free life. A summary of curriculum materials is available upon request.

FOLLOW UP

After discharge, Outreach staff offer treatment referrals and conduct follow-up studies to determine client success. Staff also act as "community guides," assisting program participants in integrating into the recovering community, finding housing and employment.

Jail inmates can stop using drugs and alcohol, and-through sobriety-can change their lives. The Dawn Farm Jail Outreach offers a concrete way for addicts and alcoholics to begin a new direction-a lasting recovery from addiction.

More Information About Jail Outreach

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