WARSAW — Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office highlighted its relatively new jail program, the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program, at a meeting Monday night at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw.

The program works with inmates who will soon be released to assist in the transition and address a wide variety of needs that are traditionally overlooked, with the hope that they don’t end up back in jail.

KCRP Resource Navigator Shanna Wallen said that since July of 2024, 144 inmates who have received some sort of service have been released from jail.

Many of their needs often vary greatly.

“It could be clothing, it could be housing, it could be transportation, it could be insurance. Everybody’s needs are different,” Wallen said.

[caption id="attachment_122684" align="alignright" width="210"] Shannna Wallen[/caption]

Of those inmates, 105 have been fully released from custody by the Indiana Department of Correction.

Thirty-nine are still in the system. Another 12 ended up back in jail.

"In every single one of those cases, their return was directly connected to a substance relapse," Wallen said.

KCRP was proposed nearly two years ago by Sheriff Jim Smith, who chose not to use a state-supported program and instead opted to create his own with KCRP, which would be jail-based and rely heavily on community support and grant money. 

KCRP is one of many local initiatives and programs overseen by the county or working closely with the county to help inmates in their return to freedom.

Smith is quick to admit that the court system and society have changed and led to a rethinking of incarceration.

If the program continues to make a difference, it could help keep down the jail population and reduce the number of people who repeatedly find themselves back in jail.

"If we don’t give them an opportunity, they’re going to go back to what they know, which, oh by the way, led them there this last time … and the time before that and the time before that,” Smith said.

Wallen agrees wholeheartedly.

“When most people think of jail, they think of punishment, but history has taught us that punishment alone is not improving behavior or reducing recidivism.”

While the results only span 15 months, Wallen thinks they're headed in the right direction.

“Through KCRP, we are proving that jail can be a place for change, a place where people begin to heal, start recovery and prepare for a new way of life outside those doors,” Wallenn said.

The meeting on Monday was the second in the past year, highlighting the programs, many of which rely on partnerships in the community. 

Last year, the program included a roundtable that included the judicial and prosecutorial perspectives.

Monday's community meeting was highlighted by another roundtable that included two former inmates who have benefited from the collection of services made available in the county, and two professionals who talked who work closely with those formerly incarcerated about life after prison.

Both former inmates talked about how the programs have provided important support toward a life outside of jail.

Those preparing for life after prison are often overwhelmed by the hurdles they face upon release, while also facing the ongoing temptations of drug use.

The greatest challenges for many leaving prison, Wallen said, continue to be the need for transportation, employment and housing.

Smith said community support can further the program.

“The more we get the word out, the more resources will come our way, hopefully, more employers who are out there will consider maybe taking a chance on some of these folks as they get out,” Smith said.

The post Statistics, testimonials highlight progress in Kosciusko Community Recovery Program appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — A year ago, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office hosted a public meeting that highlighted efforts to support inmates through the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program.

More than 100 people attened the meeing and heard fro various county officils at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw about efforts to support inmates in breaking awag from substance abuse issues and making changes that keep them from re-offendinng.

[caption id="attachment_121576" align="alignright" width="197"] Shanna Wallen[/caption]

Now, as the program begins to settle in, the department plans to provide a new update.

Officials say say the Nov. 10 meeting is an opportunity to recap some of the highlights, educate the community on the goals and look toward some new ideas aimed at supporting inmates toward a life after incarceration.

"We just wannt to kind of update the public and give them a chance to meet some of the participants that have come out of the jail and just share all the good news we had — and  talk about the direction I want to go next year," said Shanna Wallen, resource navigator for the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program, which began nearly two years ago.

Officials are also expected to disccuss the importance of community support for the program.

Statistics will be presented that  underscores some of the success organizers have seen, and they’ll also discuss what went wrong the few inmates who ended up returning to jail.

Wallen said they’ll also talk “about what characteristic and similarities there were in the cases of those who relapsed or reoffended.”

Local service providers will also attend the meeting and offer insights in how they can support inmates and those after being released.

The event on Nov. 10 will start at 6 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.

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WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s current inmates participating in a drug program known as JCAP received a different kind of community support on Friday.

[caption id="attachment_115131" align="alignright" width="394"] Kosciusko County Council Member Rachael Rhoades performs a few Gospel songs Friday at the Kosciusko County Jail to celebrate the progress of nine inmates participating in the jail's addiction recovery program. Pictured behind her are Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (L) and Jail Commander Lt. Kevin Gelbaugh. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

While numerous state-level guests and others have toured the jail, met participants, and learned more about the JCAP program, Friday’s line-up included a gospel sing-along from one county council member, lunch provided by another county council member, and a brief appearance from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

The nine men are set to graduate from the extended chemical addiction program in about a dozen days and were treated to an hour or so of celebration and words of support inside a somewhat crowded jail conference room.

Councilwoman Rachael Rhoades offered her vocal talents with a collection of uplifting gospel songs in which inmates sang along.

Councilwoman Kathy Groninger was there specifically to thank the men for their work on a Christmas decorations project around the courthouse.

“You all had a hand in playing in that, so I think you should feel good about the fact you did help me, and I thought it turned out beautiful,” Groninger said.

She and Rhoades both offered words of support to the inmates.

“I just want to take the time to encourage you and to let you know that we are all struggling every day,” Rhoades said. “I lean on my faith for that, and God encourages me every day, and this is my opportunity to encourage you.

Among those attending were jail Commander Lt. Kevin Gelbaugh, JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley, and Shanna Wallen, who leads the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program as the resource navigator.

Rokita, who did lunch at the Diner in downtown Warsaw earlier in the day, said he also met with representatives of Slate Auto, which plans to begin manufacturing electric pickup trucks in Warsaw in 2026.

Rokita congratulated the inmates on the progress they've made in the intensive 16-week program.

"Society makes it hard on people like you to get back into society, and that’s not good for anyone,” Rokita said.

“There’s a lot of us who do care. You are about seven percent of the prison population that’s made the choices and decisions and determination that you have to get back into society instead of staying in that alternative, terrible world, and I want to give you that encouragement, I wanna give you that support, and I wanna give you that grace.”

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WARSAW — The Kosciusko Community Recovery Program that was established earlier this year in the county jail will be the subject of a public meeting Monday at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw.

Sheriff Jim Smith said the meeting will be a chance to learn more about the program — and specifically — how the community can get involved.

The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. at the pavilion.

A lot of people still might not be aware of the program and how they can help. As Smith points out, people don't know what they don't know.

"This is an opportunity for us to enlighten the public as to what this program is, what our vision is inside the program and lastly, how the public can get involved," Smith said.

The program is geared toward assisting inmates who are close to finishing their sentences in preparing how to re-enter society and stay out of trouble

Resource Navigator Shanna Wallen has been overseeing the program for three months and said she’s been working, on average, with about  45 active cases.

Much of the work involves how to approach drug and alcohol problems, but also issues like getting a driver's license or requiring a Social Security card — basic things many need when seeking a job.

One of the main goals is for inmates to avoid any recidivism.

"I've had 39 inmates released. We have not had anybody return yet," Twombly said. "I do know people who have relapsed. They have not yet reached out, but I know they have the resources should they choose a different path."

In some instances, some of those, she said, have been released and gone on to other jurisdictional locations where they face other criminal issues or have entered work release.

The meeting will include a question-and-answer panel with Smith, Judge Karin McGrath, Judge-elect Matt Buelher and Tammy Johnston from the county Probation department.

Smith said in a recent interview that two of the greatest needs for inmates upon release are housing and employment.

Officials are hoping the community can step forward with support in various ways.

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WINONA LAKE — Friday night's Overdose Awareness event in Winona Lake was a chance to grieve over the loss of loved ones as much as it was a chance to strive for a better future.

Upward of 50 or so people turned out to honor those who have died from an overdose and several organizations offered support.

But there is a glimmer of hope with the realization that the number of overdose deaths in Kosciusko County has slowed this year, with the current count standing at seven, according to an updated sign outside of the Kosciusko County Coronor’s office.

This time last year, 15 residents had died in the county from overdose deaths and the year-long total eventually exceeded 20.

Tammy Cotton, executive director for LITE Recovery, and Heidi Blake, who oversees  Kosciusko Coalition on Drug Education (K-CODE), both said they think a multi-pronged effort by different groups is helping slow the deadly trend that has been fueled to a great degree by fentanyl.

Local officials supporting drug recovery efforts recently launched a 

that offers support for inmates preparing to re-enter society. It's a broad initiative that includes a focus on drug recovery and relies heavily on area organizations such as LITE, Bowen Center and Fellowship Missions."

"Awareness, educating people, letting people know we're here for them. There is support. There are resources," Cotton said. "I think it’s helped make a huge difference."

But there are other efforts under foot.

Cotton lined up a grant through the Indiana Department of Health to establish a program that brings together various groups including the coroner, law enforcement and others to look at the underlying circumstances for individual overdose and suicide deaths.

The group is known as SOFR — Suicide Overdose Fatality Review.

The program began in March and the group meets monthly.

“It was a little rough starting out because not everybody understood the concept,” Cotton said. “Law enforcement weren’t really sure why people like me were sitting in the room talking about … It’s intense — we’re drilling down and figuring out what happened to this person. Why did they end their life this way?”

Officials see some overlap in overdose deaths and suicide.

“A lot of times, an overdose is a suicide,” Cotton said. “A lot of times. More times than you would think.”

Another program, Handle With Care, is being shepherded by Blake. It seeks to keep schools informed (with a limited amount of information) about students who have recently been subjected to traumatic events involving loved ones involving overdose deaths or suicide. The move is intended to keep schools ready so they can assist if those students begin to show signs that they are struggling.

Another program is called CRAFT — Community Reinforcement and Family Therapy —  which will offer a twelve-week session for family members who have family members struggling with substance abuse.

“I’m proud that in just a short amount of time, we’ve got two programs that are launching,” Cotton said.

Friday's event was a chance for family and friends of those who have died from overdoses to honor their loved ones and commiserate with others in the same situation.

While balloon launches seem to have fallen out of favor, families on Friday used placards accompanied with personal messages that were then planted into the ground in a concentrated area in the park. Those messages were then collected and will be relocated elsewhere to keep the issue at the forefront.

Some of those attending recalled three deaths in 2023 that happened in a span of three months. The victims were not directly connected, but all happened to have funerals at the same funeral home. Those included Shawn Collins, 35, Derrick Gasaway, 31 and Caleb Jenkins, 26.

Family members of Collins showed up Friday in unison wearing commemorative shirts.

Collins had been released from jail four days earlier when he collapsed at home with two children present. He died about two weeks later in a Hospice facility.

Tiffany Marroquin, who had two children with Collins and was engaged to him at the time, talked about the impact his death has had on her family.

"Anybody in recovery, keep it up," Marroquin said. "It’s not worth it. Seeing my kids —  what we go through every day — it’s been 18 months and it’s hell every day. My kids still suffer. I have a four-year-old who asks me every day, ‘Mommy, where’s my daddy?’ "

Shanna Wallen, whose family has been hard-hit by substance abuse, now works as the resource navigator in the county jail's new community resource program.

She was pleased with the turnout on Friday.

“It’s awesome to see this many people wanting to support their loved ones that have lost somebody,” Wallen said.

The event was also a source for free Narcan. At least 17 samples were distributed Friday night.

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WARSAW — Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith is proud to announce the hiring of Shanna Wallen, of Warsaw, as the new Resource Navigator for the Kosciusko County Recovery Program.

Wallen is a certified Peer Recovery coach with many years of service working in that same field.

Wallen also teaches classes for the Kosciusko County JCAP program. Along with her many years as a recovery coach, Shanna also has an associates degree in business, from Indiana Business College.

Wallen currently works at the Rose Garden Recovery Community. Shanna will oversee the new Kosciusko County Recovery program.

Casey Trombley, who heads up the chemical addition proram for the jail, commented, “We are super excited to have Shanna as a part of our team and to help get the Kosciusko County Recovery Program off the ground."

Sheriff Jim Smith added, “We have spent many months working to get this program started in our jail. Many community members, businesses, and organizations have bought into the program and help us get to this point. We are very excited to have Shanna as the Resource Navigator for the Kosciusko County Recovery Program. She will be a great fit and we are excited to have her on our team.”

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