WARSAW — It's been nearly two years since Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith established the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program that works with inmates in preparing them to stay out of trouble after leaving incarceration. 

The program's goal is to improve people's lives while also reducing the number of inmates who are repeatedly re-arrested, often on the same type of charges connected to drugs.

While circumstances vary, some studies suggest 30-40 percent of those released from state prisons return to custody within three years.

Locally, recidivism rates have never been openly documented, but have been a concern because it puts a strain on jail operations.

Shanna Wallen, the KCRP resource navigator, who overcame her own addiction problems with methamphetamine 22 years ago, said the program has involved 189 inmates in the first two years.

"One hundred and thirty-eight of those people have been completely released back out into the public, and only 14 of those have returned. So we are sticking right around a 10% recidivism rate, and that's pretty darn good. That is amazing," Wallen said Wednesday in a sit-down interview alongside Sheriff Smith for this week's In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Smith developed the program based on a model outlined by the state. He announced the decision early in his first term in office.

It began two years ago in July, and he is pleased with the progress. 

"It's far exceeded our expectations," Smith said.

KCRP works in various ways to prepare inmates to exit the correctional system, which, for many, has been a dominant part of their lives.

Much of that involves learning about basic responsibilities in life that they never embraced, either due to a lack of parenting, substance abuse, or other issues.

The program is part of a multi-layered approach by the county in the way inmates are viewed. 

Much of that began with a chemical addiction program that began in the jail about a decade ago. Over time, new court programs, including one targeting drug use, have been added.

The jail has also added peer recovery coaches and professional counseling services in recent years. Some of those costs are covered with money from the national opioid settlement.

Having access to the money, Smith said, "has been a blessing."

Not only has it helped reduce the number of frequent flyers returning to jail, but Smith said it's played a role in reducing the number of inmates in the jail. When he took office nearly four years ago, the jail population was near capacity at  305. These days, it's below 200.

Smith concedes some of that's due to other factors, such as the shifting of inmates through the Indiana Department of Correction.

"So make no mistake, this program has absolutely had a positive impact on the number of inmates housed in Kosciusko County, and we're excited about that.

Smith had campaigned on concerns over damage to property in the jail as well as documented rug use by inmates, which led to at least two overdose deaths.

So things like that have absolutely mitigated some of those problems.

Smith has added a K-9 to the jail operations, and new body scanners that look for signs of drugs have been upgraded to rely on artificial intelligence to assist in some circumstances.

Inmates also now have access to tablets primarily for communications and education.

The tablets have a lot to do with the improved behavior, Smith said.

"Certainly, the fewer inmates you have, the easier it is on everyone involved. And I will tell you that your sheriff sleeps a lot better at night."

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In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

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