The first three steps an individual takes upon exiting the justice system are often the most important steps they will take in their recovery journey,
Rethink Reentry: HOPE begins at day one.
The Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support (IRACS) adaptive approach to reentry provides a team of certified and trained peer-support professionals in the jail working alongside the correctional and criminal justice staff everyday. Peers who provide hope, vital resources, strengthen collaboration and become recovery partners to everyone upon arrival to the jail. From the earliest moments of incarceration and into those vital first step of reentry, our teams are helping us Rethink the way we support people every step of the journey, no matter where their path forward may take them.
RETHINK REENTRY: 92 INDIANA JAILS. 92 OPPORTUNITIES
Hope. Partnership. Advocacy. Empowerment. Accountability.
The IRACS program is a team of individuals with lived-experience that provide vital support and resources from the earliest moments of incarceration and ongoing into reentry. Vital support at those critical moments, when having resources and relatable support can mean all the difference. A program driven by criminal-justice collaborations, comprehensive SIM intercepts and utilizing best practices, our peer professionals partner alongside everyone in their criminal-justice process, promote recovery and provide hope. The infrastructure and approach of the IRACS program is meant to increase engagement, reduce barriers and sustain reentry in a culturally relevant way, this empowers people to find recovery, right where they are. Regardless of the need, our teams provide resources and a hopeful path forward.
Supported by
Resource Navigation
We must remove barriers to reduce risk and increase protective factors. We ensure each individual has the resources they need to help find success with their recovery and reentry journey. This means helping to navigate the many challenges and barriers and ensure the vital resources necessary for recovery are included in the planning process for every individual.
1-on-1 Peer Support
Partnership, relatability, experience and support. The IRACS programs revolves around 1-on-1 peer-support from the earliest moments of incarceration. Learning peoples stories, building a recovery partnership, planning and working hand-in-hand to discover the barriers that exist, the needs that each person has and exploring the next steps to help them move forward.
Group Peer Support
Offering group peer-support for everyone provides learning, community and empowerment during each individuals time in the CJ centers. We offer both substance-use and mental health groups to ensure everyone has a place to connect, learn and grow.
Reentry Support
Our reentry peers meet everyone at the door upon release and stay with them the first 30-days in reentry. Partnering with Indiana Recovery Network's peer-supports who work with people outside the jail, this provides support for everyone through reentry and beyond.
Recovery Planning
Our trained IRACS teams help create tailor-fit recovery plans, develop attainable smart goals, document progress and provide accountability and support to help each plan empower people to overcome and thrive.
BY THE NUMBERS
Our IRACS peer recovery teams provide a friendly face at every level of the criminal justice process.
IRACS provides levels of care, system evaluation and critical peer-driven supports that are having a tremendous impact on the criminal justice centers, systems, correctional staff and the people who need it most.
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Visionary Leadership and One Mission: Providing HOPE to those who need it the most.
State and Local Leaders sharing their thoughts on IRACS:
Douglas Huntsinger
Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement, Office of Governor Holcomb
Thank you to the IRACS team for choosing our jail to help implement this program. I know it will make a tremendous difference to the lives of those participants who have joined the program.
Sheriff Tony Skinner
Delaware County
The IRACS program in the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center has brought about a positive change not only with the participants that we have served but also with the jail staff.
Sheriff Shane J. McHenry
Dearborn County
AT EVERY LEVEL
Each IRACS correctional support and reentry program needs to be culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of each community and the many needs those who need our help face.
Regardless of the need for those entering the criminal-justice system, IRACS provides interventions, supports and resources specifically designed to ensure we are providing solutions to the many needs each person can face. Regardless of the circumstances, we’ve developed a collaboration or a process to meet people right where they are.
Criminal-Justice Centers and Reentry- IRACS
Partnering with the Sheriff and their staff inside the criminal-justice centers, our IRACS teams provide a myriad of supports and resources. Working closely with all criminal justice partners, IRACS peers are able to strengthen communication, reduce barriers and share resources, as well as provide relatable support to everyone. Reducing stress, critical incidents and increasing recovery communities inside the justice centers are some of the many benefits of IRACS.
Indiana Department of Corrections- IRACS
The IRACS teams identifies and supports those facing the transition to long-term care at IDOC. We collaborate directly with IDOC to share recovery plans, information and support both the IDOC team, the individual and their families for what they can expect during this transition. Being sentenced to IDOC isn't the end of the journey, it can be a new beginning. We work carefully to ensure everyone knows there is hope in their future. The more consistent care we provide and the more intentional we are, the better we care for our people heading to IDOC.
Transition-aged Youth IRACS
For our young adult populations, support from a trusted peer can make all the difference. Many young-adults face many challenges during the transitional years and these young adults need more support than ever. Regardless of what brought them into the criminal-justice centers, it's imperative that we identify the underlying needs of our young people and work harder than ever to help them with the life challenges they are facing. Together, we can make all the difference in these lives and expand their opportunities for their future.
Indiana Department of Child Services- IRACS
Many incarcerated individuals are involved in the IDCS system. Whether they are facing CHINS cases or involved in Family-recovery speciality courts, the potential of losing parental rights and facing the many uncertainties being DCS involved can present, can have a great impact. IRACS collaborates with local DCS representatives to ensure we do all we can to increase collaboration so incarcerated individuals and their families stay and thrive together. Recovery is possible and strong collaboration, from those early moments after arrest, can ensure we do all we can to support these families in need.