Kosciusko Recovery Program gives inmate a second chance of life

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. - - A program designed to help local inmates transition back into society is making a big impact.

The Kosciusko Community Recovery Program provides resources to help people succeed as they reenter society. 

"They meet with them roughly about once a week. They talk about their reentry plan if they are recovering from mental health or addiction. Most of our inmates do have some form of addiction, neglect, abuse in their background. And the peer coaches are somebody that's able to say, I've been there. I've worked through my own traumas and addictions, and this is how I did it. And they work a lot with where they're at now versus where they would like to be, and the best route to take to get from point A to point B," Kosciusko County Resource Navigator Shawna Wallen said.

No one is required to go through the program. Wallen says it's a voluntary decision. Those who are interested reach out, sit down with her and talk about what they need.

The program provides therapy, peer coaching and a structured re-entry plan. Wallen hopes the program will continue to grow, giving more individuals the opportunity for change.

"I would love to see more services as we go along. I haven't quite figured out the logistics of that yet. There's still some things to work out there, but I've seen just outside what we do ourselves, the concept of whether you call it a Resource Navigator or reentry coordinator, there are a lot more counties that are starting to do this," Wallen said.