2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

WORKSHOPS Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Explore opportunities for collaboration between correctional agencies and federal partners to improve health outcomes and system performance. Moderator: Mariel Marlow , Director, Office of Correctional Health, American Correctional Association, Alexandria, Virginia Speakers: David Huang , Associate Director for Public Health Impact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Ellen Smith , Section Chief, Surveillance and Epidemiology Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Washington, D.C.; Tisha Wiley , Associate Director for Justice Systems, National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. Incorporating Peer Recovery Specialists with Lived Experience to Improve Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Outcomes Room: 311 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: Behavior management in alignment with facility expectations and substance use disorder treatment program compliance and progress for criminal justice involved populations poses challenges. How do we achieve pro-social, recovery-oriented treatment outcomes and shift resistance to acquiescence? Over the past two decades,

the incorporation of various evidence-based treatment programs with the criminal justice population has proven to be effective. However, outcomes, including recidivism rates, can still be improved. Recently the incorporation of trained and certified Peer Recovery Specialists has shown improvements in gaining participant-client engagement and “buy-in” with participants, showing improved outcomes, including client engagement, participation in treatment and successful treatment completion. Incidental or secondary benefits have also been noted in other forms of behavior management of residents when Peer Recovery Specialists are in place and actively involved in a criminal justice treatment program. Understanding the purpose of Lived Experience as it relates to participation is key to this process, as is the strategic placement of Peer Recovery Specialists in any correctional institution. This workshop intends to highlight both substance use disorder program and behavior management outcomes where Peer Recovery Specialists are incorporated into the treatment milieu, combined with empirical, evidence based best practices, on-going supervision of Peer Recovery Specialists, and the impact that is being observed when Peer Recovery Specialists are utilized. Real case examples will be provided from programs provided within the Wyoming and Texas Departments of Corrections.

148 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh