Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The purpose of Kosciusko County Recovery Program (KCRP) is to connect inmates with resources in order to stop recidivism.
The vision of KCRP is to provide support, education and resources to inmates who are nearing their release date and help create a plan to address barriers such as housing, transportation, employment and other unmet needs that will allow them to be successful and reduce their likelihood of reoffending, according to a pamphlet about the program.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith said during a meeting Monday at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion that the program has been running since July 2024.
KCRP started off as an idea and, Smith said, “We’ve always done the same over and over again, expecting different results, right? For me as a young officer, you put them in jail and see them in six months or a year when they get out. We’re expecting them to do something different - not to come back. When the reality is, and I should have known better because it was taught to us when I got into law enforcement, 90% of the crime is committed by 10% of the people. What does that mean? It’s like we’re dealing with a lot of the same people over and over again on the road level and in the prosecutor’s office and the judges and so on and so forth. It was time to do something different.”
Smith said the maximum capacity of the jail is 305 people. During his first year in office, the jail was just under maximum capacity. He walked into the office one day and the jail had 298 people incarcerated. “And that was too close for comfort,” he said, noting they had to do something different or the jail was going to be overpopulated.
Smith said some of the things driving recidivism include housing, transportation and employment. KCRP gives those incarcerated a chance to do something different. Smith said he always heard the 30-day period before an inmate was released was a “freak out” time because the inmates didn’t know what they were going to do after they were released without redefaulting to who the person was before they got arrested and eventually reoffending again.
Smith said KCRP is a hand-up and only works for those that are ready, as the inmates meet the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) half way. The program gives KCSO a chance to partner with inmates to help them when they get released.
Michael Murphy, director of community engagement at Bowen Center, said one of the awesome things happening within the community is where different organizations are coming together and moving together to help in people’s recovery. There are so many things that have to be addressed during that process, like spirituality, recovery or mental health. He mentioned organizations like Allendale Treatment, Bowen Health, Living in Transition Effectively and Fellowship Missions who are offering resources.
Shanna Wallen, KCRP resource navigator, said through the program she coordinates and connects people to the right resources at the right time to help people find support and direction outside the jail walls.
“When most people think of jail, they think of punishment. But history has taught us that punishment alone is not improving behavior or reducing recidivism. Through KCRP, we are proving jail can also be a place for change, a place where people can begin to heal or start recovery and prepare for a new kind of life on the other side of those doors,” she said.
Since the start of KCRP, the program has seen 144 people released from the Kosciusko County Jail that have received some sort of form of support and services, including housing, transportation and insurance.
“That’s 144 individuals who have left our facility with more than just a release date. They left with resources, connections and, most importantly, hope. Of those, 105 individuals have been fully released from custody, meaning they are no longer in work release or (Department of Correction). Thirty-nine still are. And while we’re still incredibly proud of that progress, we still recognize the challenges that remain. We have seen 12 reoffend and in every single one of those cases, their return was directly related to a substance relapse. It is also important to note that eight of them have requested and were connected with a peer recovery coach outside after release, but unfortunately did not maintain that contact despite several attempts from their peer coach,” Wallen said.
Seven of those people were considered homeless at the time of release, even though they were offered a bed in some form of transitional home, homeless shelter or recovery home - places they never checked into or left within a week.
“The reality is some times people just aren’t ready yet. They’ve got to let go of the chains of addiction and step fully into the freedom of recovery. I often said we can’t want their recovery more than they do,” she said.
Recovery is a lifelong process, she said, noting it takes accountability, community and compassion. They will celebrate the success, but will also learn from the setbacks.
Some additions to the program includes two peer recovery coaches and a therapist who work with inmates, she said. Wallen plans to work more with second-chance employers and landlords to help inmates find jobs and housing after release.
After Wallen spoke, attendees heard from Shane Cox and Adam Overmyer about their stories with re-entry into the community after being released from jail. People also heard from Tabitha Trosper, who was in jail and is now a therapist, on her experiences.
Stephanie Godsey, reentry court coordinator, spoke on some of the issues she’s seen with inmates being released back into the community. There was also a question-and-answer portion of the meeting.
