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Peer Support in Jails and Prisons: Enhancing Therapeutic Communities and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Event Dates
Eastern
Location
Online

Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are increasingly offered across diverse criminal justice settings to address opioid and other substance misuse, and to achieve positive outcomes.

The power and potential of PRSS comes from the unique roles that peers play, promoting both hope and pragmatic steps for change. As peer practitioners move into a variety of roles in the criminal justice system, practice-based evidence and emerging research show (1) the value of providing peer support to incarcerated individuals prior to reentry, and (2) the importance of preparation by residential substance abuse treatment programs and other therapeutic communities to receive and provide appropriate supports to individuals who are returning to their communities.

This session will focus on how supervisors, administrative staff, and organizations can:

  • Set a programmatic context that encompasses a person-centered, recovery-oriented, and peer-led approach to treatment.
  • Recognize the importance of corrections-based residential substance abuse treatment programs and therapeutic communities that include peer-based supports to the recovery of individuals who are returning to their communities.
  • Identify common challenges and explore potential solutions for improving community partnerships that benefit and serve returning individuals.
  • Describe the necessary steps for building your organization’s capacity to support peers in their work with returning individuals.

This webinar is offered through BJA's Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program.

Date Created: June 17, 2020