Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Incorporated into the logo for the Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program (JCAP) is an anchor.
“I was trying to find something to symbolize the program because I think having something to symbolize it is important for people to kind of maybe understand the program itself,” said JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley. “I picked the anchor because it’s kind of that representation of you need something to keep you steady when life gets hard, when storms are rolling in. Something to keep you grounded.”
She has JCAP participants think about what are their anchors, what does their anchors represent and - when they are going through life’s trials and tribulations - what is holding them steady.
“Just kind of a way to keep them grounded and safe,” Trombley stated.
The 20th JCAP class will graduate at a public ceremony at 1 p.m. Feb. 6 in the multi-purpose room in the basement of the Justice Building, 221 W. Main St., Warsaw.
There will be 10 men this time graduating JCAP. The program started in 2018 under then-Sheriff Rocky Goshert and was continued on by Sheriff Kyle Dukes and now Sheriff Jim Smith. Trombley said there were a total of 134 graduates in the prior 19 classes. Without counting the 20th class, she estimated the recidivism percentage rate is in the low 80s, meaning the participants have been successful, not received any new charges and not returned to the Kosciusko County Jail.
Community Response
Smith admitted when the idea of JCAP was first introduced, he wasn’t sure how the community would respond.
“But I was pleasantly surprised just right out of the gate on how positive the response was and talk about arms being wrapped around these folks, and it’s only gotten better. I feel like there’s more and more, that the more awareness, the more people are learning of what they’re doing and they’re hearing the stories and the testimonies of these folks, then there’s just that many more supporters out there and people that have rallied around the idea. It’s just another great example of how awesome this community is,” he said.
“They’re not labeling these folks on the crime that might have put them in here. Rather, they’ve taken the stance that you’ve done your time and if you are willing to turn over a new leaf, what can I do to support you? And all they have to do is see a little bit of effort on their end and people are generally receptive to helping folks, and that’s kind of what we’re seeing with all of our programs. And it’s a breath of fresh air.”
Smith said the folks going through JCAP can sense and feel that by the volunteers that come in. “They’re hearing us tell them, they’re seeing it, on when they graduate, on the community that comes out and shows their support for it, so they don’t feel alone,” he said.
In JCAP, participants often are reminded to surround themselves with the right people and strive to be the best versions of themselves. “That’s what they’re doing, I feel,” Smith stated.
Trombley said she feels the biggest recipe for success for the individuals when they get out is “just the love and support of the community, of the instructors that they meet in here, of their family members, just knowing that we’re there to support them as they transition back into the community is the biggest thing. A lot of them have felt like people have given up on them, that nobody believes in them, so when we kind of flip that coin and show them that we do believe in them, that is kind of the catalyst for them to start believing in themselves.”
Three of the community organizations that have been partners of JCAP that stick out in Smith’s mind are the Animal Welfare League (AWL), The Magical Meadows and the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club.
AWL and Magical Meadows have allowed JCAP participants to come to their facilities, love on their animals, be outdoors and help as needed. Smith, who is a member of the Optimist Club, said JCAP participants have helped out for several years with the club’s fall display project.
“That was something that I think when I took office that I was intentional on,” he said. “We didn’t want people just to hear about JCAP. We wanted them to see it. And I think by them being in the community and by being partners with these organizations, that’s checking that box. We’re not limited to just them.”
If another opportunity presents itself, Smith said they would look at it. The first JCAP class helped put American flags on all the veterans’ headstones at Oakwood Cemetery. Another JCAP class helped fill a semi at Warsaw Community Church for hurricane relief.
“When they do that, it gives them a sense of being a part of something that’s bigger than them, and that’s something that Casey and her crews are teaching them ... giving back,” Smith said.
Process To Participate
In order to take part in JCAP, Trombley said they have to fill out applications. Once those are completed, she reviews them, looks at their criminal history to see why they’re in jail and how much time do they possibly have left. JCAP is a 16-week program. After she goes through that information, Trombley then interviews them.
The participants are in the program for about a month so mutual trust can be built before they’re taken out of the jail for community service projects.
To graduate, Trombley said they have to complete all the course work, workbooks and participate in all of their classes. At the end, she does an exit interview with each person.
“So at that time I’m kind of seeing what have they learned, have they met that criteria of completing all their coursework, did they participate, were they kind of like a model student throughout the whole program. And then that’s when we make the choice to allow them to graduate successfully and participate in the graduation ceremony,” she explained.
Foundation For Change
Smith said JCAP is a really good foundation for the participants when they complete the program.
“They have been given all kinds of resources. Casey, throughout the curriculum, will talk about some anger management stuff. Addiction, obviously, how to cope with that. There’s lessons in there ... but I think all of that is setting them up with a good, solid foundation. We remind them that this isn’t the end, there’s still work to be done, but we’re confident, with the certificate they’ve been given, they’ve been given a really good solid foundation to go build on that, and that’s exactly what this program does and it takes the entire 16 weeks and it’s not easy,” he said.
A participant can not fake their way through the program, Smith reiterated, because Trombley asks them to do things and address certain things in their past that, probably in a lot of cases, they’ve never discussed before. Not only does she ask them to do that, but she’s asking them to do that in front of their peers.
“You don’t fake your way through that. It’s very sensitive and touchy, in some cases, topics, but it’s imperative for them to do so to complete this course and to be on that path to be the best version of themselves,” Smith explained.
Trombley said the focus is always on life skills and recovery skills, but it’s also a good way for the participants to “really uncover the different layers of themselves, of who they are, at the core. Do they like the person they are at the core? Do they want to change that? Most of the time, they want to change that and be a better version of themselves. But it’s also a way for us to look back at what trauma do they have in their past, what was their life growing up as children and kind of what led to their point right now and what can we learn from the past to kind of change our future as we move forward.”
She also tells them their choice to use drugs or alcohol is a coping skill that they’ve learned and relied on, but it’s not a positive one. It’s one that has a lot of bad consequences.
“So the point of the program is to teach them positive coping skills, healthy ones. Tell them that they can reach out to people and they need positive people in their lives. So it’s just a lot of changing their habits and making positive ones,” she said.
Becoming Mentors
After a participant graduates, Trombley tries to stay in touch with them as much as they can, though it does fall on the participants to continue that communication.
Just the other day, she ran into a graduate from the 18th class at Walmart. Trombley said it was really cool to see them and be able to check in with them like a friend.
Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand said Trombley has facilitated meetings with participants outside of the jail on Saturdays once they get out. Trombley said they will have “alumni meet-ups” at various locations for them all to meet up and check in with one another and make sure everyone’s doing OK.
Trombley highlighted the story of one graduate from her second men’s class. While he was in the program, he didn’t think he could change and have a different life no matter what he learned in JCAP.
However, he got involved in a church, stayed in contact with instructors and he’s doing really well now. He’s had the same job since he’s gotten out and is looking at buying a house.
“He comes in every week as a mentor for this class, and giving back to the program has been really helpful for him. And just to see that change through the past couple of years of where he was when he was in the program to now, and to see that positive change happening in his life, has really been impactful for us, but I think also for the soon-to-be graduates of this class,” Trombley said.
Smith said, “The more of those types that you have, the better chances that I think we’re going to have with successes as we move forward with this program, because when the rubber meets the road, those that have done it and they’ve achieved recovery are the ones that are truly” going to resonate.
“I rely heavily on the past graduates to come back and just pore into groups moving forward,” Trombley said.
McKeand stated, “It’s also a chance for them to continue their recovery. It helps them as well. It’s like it’s coming full circle.”
