KCSO To Seek Funding To Expand Inmate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioners have OK’d allowing the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office to seek a maximum of $500,000 from the state to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment services at the Kosciusko County Jail.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand made the request at the commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, March 28. The grant money would come via the state’s new Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support program.
IRACS has been implemented in five counties so far, including Dearborn County, where KCSO leadership observed the program not long ago.
“It encompasses a certified peer recovery coach and a reentry coordinator,” said McKeand, mentioning that it would be in addition to the county’s Jail Chemical Addiction Program and for the whole jail population.
Inmates “would have access to these peer recovery coaches to aid in one-on-one counseling, group counseling, helping them get the recovery assistance that they need to be able to take that next step,” said McKeand. “The coordinator position would help them find the services out in the community, the housing, those same services, the one-on-one recovery, the group recovery. It also allows for the creation of a community recovery hub, which all of those activities outside of the jail would be taking place in that location.”
He said implementing the program will use collaboration with entities including the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, court system and county work release.
“One of the things that we’re hoping (will come) out of it is a reduction in our jail population,” said McKeand, adding that Dearborn County has seen “fewer instances in their jail of violence, of suicide, of damages.”
Smith added Dearborn County Sheriff Shane McHenry told him there was less recidivism with people as well.
In response to a question from Commissioners’ President Brad Jackson, McKeand noted the county would contract for the additional personnel and they wouldn’t be county employees.
At the meeting, commissioners also approved McKeand and Smith’s request to apply for an Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Comprehensive Hoosier Highway Injury Reduction Program grant.
If the KCSO receives the $20,500, it will pay for deputies doing extra patrols for such things as stopping drunk driving and monitoring seat belt use.
Commissioners’ next meeting is 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom.