The Kennebec County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Maine has pioneered an intensive program aimed at breaking the cycle of substance abuse and criminal behavior. Known as the Criminogenic Addiction & Recovery Academy (CARA), this initiative, launched in 2010, represents a significant shift in how correctional facilities address the root causes of recidivism. Sheriff Randall A. Liberty and the KCCF Corrections Administration, in collaboration with the Maine Board of Corrections, transformed the facility to specialize in tackling substance abuse and criminal thinking head-on. Partnering with Crisis & Counseling Centers, CARA began as a pilot program and has since become a cornerstone of KCCF’s approach to rehabilitation.
What is the CARA Program at Kennebec County Jail?
The CARA program at Kennebec County Jail is a five-week intensive residential program designed for sentenced inmates struggling with substance abuse and criminal thinking patterns. It’s not just about incarceration; it’s about transformation. As Sheriff Liberty stated, “We need to stop the revolving door.” CARA directly addresses this by providing inmates with the tools and understanding necessary to break free from the cycle of addiction and crime. The program’s curriculum is specifically designed to delve into the core issues that drive substance abuse and criminal involvement. By June 2011, CARA had already seen over 58 graduates, and it anticipates serving up to 240 individuals annually at full capacity, acting as a statewide resource for correctional facilities seeking effective rehabilitation programs.
Who is Eligible for the CARA Program?
Eligibility for the Cara Program Kennebec County Jail is carefully considered to ensure the program’s resources are directed to those who will benefit most. Ideal candidates are sentenced inmates with sufficient time remaining on their sentence to complete the full five-week program. A significant history of substance abuse and repeated criminal activity are key factors in determining suitability. The referral process is managed by the Classifications Department at KCCF, welcoming referrals from various sources including defense attorneys, district attorneys, probation officers, community providers, and even self-referrals from inmates themselves.
Admission and Treatment Approach
Admission to the cara program at Kennebec County Jail involves a comprehensive screening process. This screening assesses criminal thinking patterns, the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders, motivation for treatment, and the risk of relapse and re-offending. Successful applicants are then moved to a dedicated housing unit within KCCF, separate from the general inmate population, creating a therapeutic environment conducive to recovery.
The five-week program is highly structured, featuring daily group and individual activities. The curriculum’s core components include treatment for co-occurring disorders using the DSAT curriculum and addressing criminal thinking through the Pathways curriculum. Additionally, the program incorporates work readiness training, parenting skills development, and ethical decision-making modules. To foster pro-social engagement, CARA also includes self-help meetings (AA) and community service activities. Recognizing the different experiences of men and women, programming is gender-specific, tailoring the approach to address the unique pathways leading to substance abuse and criminal behavior for each group.
A therapeutic community model is central to the supervision and operation of CARA. Specially trained Correctional Officers play a crucial role, facilitating “community meetings” three times daily and actively monitoring inmate participation throughout the program. This constant engagement aims to maximize the impact of the intensive treatment.
Reentry Planning and KeRRP
Recognizing that successful reintegration into the community is paramount, the cara program Kennebec county jail integrates reentry planning from the very first week. Case managers work individually with inmates to identify their specific needs for community reentry, such as housing, medical care, transportation, and vocational referrals. Participants graduate from CARA with a “portfolio” of resources tailored to support their transition.
Furthermore, upon completion of CARA, participants can access the Kennebec Regional Reentry Project (KeRRP). Funded by a federal Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Demonstration Grant, KeRRP provides crucial reentry support both during incarceration and after release. Services offered through KeRRP include case management, financial assistance for essential needs, housing support, restorative justice initiatives, mentoring, and job search assistance. Partner agencies like Crisis & Counseling Centers, Maine PreTrial Services, NAMI Maine, and Hornby Zeller Associates collaborate with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office on KeRRP, significantly enhancing the support network available to CARA graduates.
Testimonials from CARA Graduates
The impact of the cara program Kennebec county jail is perhaps best illustrated by the words of its graduates. One graduate shared, “It saved my life. If I didn’t go into that program I wouldn’t have learned how to be pro-social, I wouldn’t have changed my criminal thinking and I wouldn’t have gotten sober. I’d be dead.” Another graduate powerfully stated, “The CARA Program has given me many tools that I use daily and will use for the rest of my life … I’m a brand-new man.” These testimonials underscore the transformative potential of CARA and its vital role in fostering lasting change in the lives of its participants.
Conclusion
The cara program at Kennebec County Jail stands as a model for effective correctional rehabilitation. By focusing on the intertwined issues of substance abuse and criminal thinking, CARA provides inmates with a pathway to recovery and a second chance at a productive, pro-social life. Through its intensive programming, therapeutic community approach, and robust reentry support system, CARA is demonstrably making a difference in breaking the cycle of recidivism and creating safer communities.
