FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2022) – The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) announced today a partnership with Voices of Hope (VOH) to add peer support recovery coaches to prison-based substance use disorder treatment programs. VOH is a peer-based recovery community organization that promotes life-long recovery from the chronic disease of addiction through recovery support services, advocacy, research, and education.
Currently, VOH plans to hire six coaches who will work at four institutions and expects to have them in place by the end of October. Both the DOC and VOH hope to expand to other institutions in the future.
The coaches will join the team of clinical staff who currently provide treatment services in Kentucky prisons and will use their lived experience to support people suffering with substance use disorder in their recovery.
“The power and potential of peer recovery support services comes from the unique roles that peers play, promoting both hope and pragmatic steps for change,” according to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
“We are very excited to have peer support recovery coaches join our treatment team through this partnership with Voices of Hope,” said Sarah Johnson, director of DOC’s Addiction Services Division. “VOH has a wonderful reputation for the recovery services they provide, and we are confident we will see improved outcomes in our clients’ recovery as part of this project.”
Kentucky DOC is not the first state to include peers in prison treatment programs. Other states have implemented this type of program with positive outcomes.
“Voices of Hope is grateful for the opportunity for our peers to positively impact recovery for people who are justice-involved by serving as a model of hope and by sharing experiences to connect and support adherence and progress in the program,” said Shelley Elswick, president and CEO of Voices of Hope.