Inmates Find Hope in Recovery Housing

by Shawn Dickens

A 2022 survey of TDCJ inmates found that approximately 67.2% of inmates admitted to substance use. This statistic is concerning, as it suggests that a large number of inmates are struggling with addiction.

To aid in combating illegal drug use in its facilities as well as reducing the number of inmates with substance use disorder, Rehabilitation Programs Division developed the Peer Recovery Housing program. The mission of Peer Recovery Housing is to assist inmates identifying and correcting self-defeating behaviors and instilling the value of self-examination and servant leadership. Using these tools, inmates take charge of their recovery and have a voice in developing their path to long-term sobriety.

The Peer Recovery Housing provides inmates an opportunity to incorporate a holistic approach to addressing substance use and cognitive disorders in an environment that is conducive to recovery.

“We are providing the inmates both the tools and the environment to fight back,” said Christopher Carter, Division Director of the Rehabilitation Programs Division. “The inmates participating in the program are ultimately in control of their own success or failure.”

The difference between Recovery Housing and typical general population housing is in the writing on the wall, literally. When you enter the Recovery Housing area, painted on the walls in the common areas are the House Guidelines outlining the commitment required by the participants to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. Making these daily reminders to be respectful, be honest, and be on time front-and-center in the housing area helps inmates keep sight of the real goal.

“It is not just about wanting to be in recovery,” Carter explained. “It is about doing the work required to maintain that desired drug-free lifestyle and creating an environment that fosters the inmates to buy into the program.”

The changes being made inside these Recovery Housing areas is not just benefiting the inmates, correctional officers are seeing the results as well.

“The environment we have created in these housing areas is affecting positive change in the COs who work in the dorms as well,” Carter said. “I visited one of the housing areas recently and had a correctional officer who works in the recovery dorms pull me aside and tell me that it was an honor and a blessing to be able to work in the recovery housing.”

Recovery Housing operates under a zero-tolerance policy, but not just for substance use. Fighting, stealing, and gambling are also not tolerated. Participants in the program also undergo random and frequent drug-testing as a major component of the zero-tolerance policy.

“In implementing the Recovery Housing Program, we have found one of our best resources to leverage positive change is peers,” said Andrea Canul, Deputy Director of Substance Use Treatment Programs for TDCJ. “Using peer support coaches has been a valuable tool in the success of the Recovery Housing Program.”

According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, a peer support coach is an individual with lived experience who gives assistance to those with a substance use disorder. TDCJ has partnered with the Texas Certification Board to provide inmates the opportunity to certify as peer support coaches while still incarcerated. Formal peer support refers to those who have completed specialized training and received a certificate. Once certified, these specially trained inmates help their fellow inmates through emotional support, shared knowledge, teaching recovery skills and assisting peers as resource brokers.

Peer Support is nationally recognized as a valid recovery tool and many states offer certification to peer specialists.