KOSCIUSKO — Last week the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department visited the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department Jail Chemical Addictions Program in Lawrenceburg. Sheriff Rocky Goshert, accompanied by multiple individuals from law enforcement and the mental health profession, toured the facility holding the JCAP in Dearborn County. Local professionals are gathering more input on the implementation of a similar program in the Kosciusko County Jail.

Members of the group were able to speak with Judge Sally Mclaughlin about the program itself, and some of impacts the program has had on other aspects of law enforcement. Mclaughlin spoke about the positive impacts that she has witnessed with offenders once they have completed the program and the success they have had with reducing repeat offenders in her courts.

During the tour of the facility, Dearborn County JCAP had individuals participating in the program currently speak about the daily routine, the programs they attend and the importance of the skills that are taught during the rehabilitative process in JCAP.  The director of the JCAP program, Tisha Linzy, then continued the tour of the facility and provided further information about daily operation of the program.

Upon completion of the visit all members of the group expressed a belief that the program is important not only to the offender for an improved possibly for a stable life upon release, but also in reducing recidivism rates by those offenders which will result in reduced jail populations. The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department hopes that the implementation of this program can break the cycle of addiction to not only reduce the inmate’s future criminal activity, but to introduce positive behaviors to the inmate’s family and children.