Corrections_Today_January_February_2023_Vol.85_No.1

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Implementation plan The collaboration between SCDC and SCDAODAS exceeded its goal of 100 inmates by training and certifying 121 inmates as CPSS. Although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the realization of this endeavor, the ramifications of the pandemic highlight the need for inmate PSS. During times of staff call-outs, quarantines and limited contact with outside support networks, having that internal support was anecdotally paramount to the sobriety of many. Upon discussion and coordination with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the project was expanded to five additional institutions that demon strated a continued need based on increased use of illicit substances and overdoses resulting in behavioral and operational disruptions. The expansion of services was stepped up as cohorts graduated and COVID-19 mitigation efforts permitted transfers from March 2020 through September 2021. In addition, SCDC was granted community distributor status by the SCDAODAS and began distributing Narcan ® in February 2022. All offenders with a substance use disorder involved in the MAT program, regardless of if they qualify or receive the Vivitrol injection, leave prison with Narcan ® . To date, SCDC has pro vided 84 boxes of Narcan ® to returning citizens and will remain an integral part of the MAT program. The provision of the peer support specialist training and certification will continue to be offered and funded by SC DAODAS; it is aimed at expanding a wider workforce of peers to complement service delivery. Funding is provided through the South Carolina State Opioid Targeted Response/State Opioid Response (STR/SOR) fund. Security staff involvement, support, and buy-in have been identified as potential obstacles and remain a critical function that will be incorporated into all future discussions and training. Additionally, there will be ongoing monitoring, evaluation and adaptation of the program to ensure the intended goals and needs of the program are being met, ben efits realized and barriers are being identified and addressed. Communication with major key stakehold ers is formalized monthly, via conference/Zoom calls, with appropriate leadership staff from SCDC and SCDAODAS.

Evaluation plan The project’s evaluation focus includes doubling the number of inmates served to include a warm hand-off of stimulant misuse and use disorders, and co-occurring inmates to county authorities from the baseline of 54 participants. The evaluation plan is a continuation of the initial data collected as described in previous sections of this article. A follow-up survey is administered to measure the effectiveness of inmate lead PSS in keeping offenders engaged and connected to services, and its impact on the prison’s positive behavioral and cultural change. The sur vey is given to clients who have been in the community for a minimum of six months. Data collected is based on participants functioning and activities post-incarceration. Therefore, the following recidivism data also will be analyzed after six months, 12 months, and 18 months to measure the effectiveness of the project: – Reincarceration – Number of inmates gainfully employed after leaving SCDC – Case-closures (referred to mutual aid groups, recovery community organizations). ENDNOTES Ashcraft, L. & Anthony, W. A., (2011). Prisoners thrive with peer support training. Behavioral Healthcare, 31 (8), 20-23. https://search.proquest.com/docview/912677932?accountid=36783 Collica-Cox, K. (2015). Feeling positive about HIV: Prison-based peer educators and self-esteem. Journal of Correctional Education, 66 (1), 21-44. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1655810419?accountid=36783 Davidson, L. Bellamy, C. Guy, K., & Miller, R. (2012). Peer roles in criminal justice settings. World Psychiatry, 11 (2), 123-8. www.usf.edu.tac.documents. behavioral-health Green, T.C., Clarke, J., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Marshall, B., Alexander-Scott, N., Boss, R. Rich, J. (2018). Post incarceration fatal overdoses after implementing medications for addiction treatment in a statewide correctional system. JAMA Psychiatry . 75 (4):405-407. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4614 Haller, M., Handley, E., Chassin, L., & Bountress, K. (2010). Developmental cascades: Linking adolescent substance use, affiliation with substance use promoting peers, and academic achievement to adult substance use disorders. Development and Psychopathology, 22 (4), 899-916. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S0954579410000532 Hirshfield, S., Contreras, J., Luebe, R. Q., Swartz, J. A., Scheinmann, R., Reback, C. J., Molano, L. F. (2019). Engagement in HIV care among New York City transgender women of color: Findings from the peer-led, TWEET intervention, a SPNS trans women of color initiative. AIDS and Behavior, 25 , 1-11. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02667-6

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