Corrections_Today_Summer_2025_Vol.87_No.2

WELLNESS

PRSs offer a different level of empathy and un derstanding, along with personal connection that resonates deeply with those they support. Inmates trained as PRSs are becoming powerful advocates within the prison community, providing one-on-one coaching and leading support groups. Receipt of peer support is associated with decreased substance use and recidivism. (Mowen and Bowman, 2018) This peer driven approach not only enhances recovery outcomes but also fosters a sense of purpose and belonging among those who choose to give back. I believe, wholeheartedly, that some of the best humans on our planet are hidden by addiction, mental health challenges,

47 sessions over seven months and focuses on helping inmates develop the cognitive, emotional and coping skills needed to overcome addiction. The Department also offers a shorter, 13 session Recovery Route program that addresses relapse prevention. This is designed to provide a lifeline for those seeking support. These programs provide more than just treatment — they offer hope and the tools to start anew. Voluntary Residential Programs: Empowering inmates to take charge of their recovery For inmates who are ready to take the reins of their own recovery, the Voluntary Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (VSUDTP) offers a structured yet empowering environment. Inmates who are struggling with SUD and are willing to request help proactively can be enrolled in this program. Available at three different locations, this program is designed for those who ac tively choose to participate and commit to the residential program. Spanning from two to nine months, VSUDTP combines individualized treatment plans with group programing and peer-led support. By fostering a commu nity of mutual aid, this program empowers participants to reclaim their lives and build a future free from sub stance use. In response to the growing threat of fentanyl and other opioids, the VADOC’s mandatory residential programs are an urgent, life-saving intervention. Arising out of concerns about the increasing presence of fentanyl and overdose events in carceral settings, the Fentanyl Re sponse Program (FRP) and The Residential Illicit Drug Use Program (RIDUP) allow the VADOC to have rapid response to the most dangerous drug use events. These programs are accessible to all security levels, statewide. There are two FRP programs based on security level and one RIDUP program. Any prison in Virginia that has an inmate with a fentanyl positive urine drug screen or overdose event (from any illicit substance) can make a referral to the programs. All three programs have Mandatory Residential Programs: Urgent interventions to save lives

behavioral disorders and incarceration. I accept it as a personal obligation to assist in uncovering and revealing them to the world. — Inmate PRS Hairston

Outpatient Programs: Building foundations for a brighter future

Recovery is a journey, and for many inmates that journey begins with outpatient programs designed to build essential skills for cognitive restructuring and preventing relapse. For those seeking recovery in prison, evidence-based outpatient groups offer a vital programing option. The Cognitive Behavioral Interven tions for Substance Use Adult (CBI-SUA) program is a cornerstone of the VADOC’s approach, as it is available statewide at all correctional centers. This program spans

Corrections Today | Summer 2025

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