Write to Recover in Bullitt County Makes a Creative Impact with Inmates
Getting into SAP is competitive and the expectations are high. At the Bullitt County Detention Center, there are a maximum of 40 female inmates at one time. SAP can be court ordered, but most inmates apply and go through the acceptance process. In addition, all participants receive individual counseling. The program participants are housed in a separate wing and not with the general population. SAP participants have their own recreation yard and meeting areas, but along with these privileges comes responsibility and accountability. The program is self-governed and for some, this is challenging and they don’t succeed. But for some, it can be life changing.
Bobbi Buchanan is the primary workshop leader and project director of Write to Recover, a new program funded by the James Baker Hall Foundation and the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Bobbi began leading therapeutic writing workshops at the BCDC in 2015 and received several grants the past nine years.
Each session, which is held every other week, is a 1.5 hour workshop. Here’s how Bobbi makes it work. “I usually start off by reading something to them – a poem or a short essay. Something quick. Then I ask if anyone wants to share their writing from the workshop.” Bobbi emphasizes the importance of sharing at every workshop session.”Why do we share? We share because we have something to say. Sharing is self-expression. It can also be empowering. For these women, it’s especially important because it not only helps you feel better, but it can help those listening who might be struggling with a similar experience.”
Bobbi continues, “I then give them a writing prompt and encourage them to free-write, which is sort of like a brain dump where you don’t worry about spelling or other rules of writing. You just get it out.” Next, she will read a couple of poems or an essay that relates to the writing prompt. ”Sometimes we learn a poetic form-like haiku, sonnet or villanella - instead of technique. Regardless, we’re building knowledge and acquiring skills to use writing - not drugs or alcohol - as a coping mechanism.”
Programs like SAP are successful and can help people turn their lives around. The Criminal Justice Kentucky Treatment Outcome Study (CJKTOS) assessed people from July 1, 2012 - June 30th, 2021 and found that:
● 88.9% were living in stable housing
● 85% of those with children reported providing for their children
● 83.5% of those referred to aftercare, attended aftercare
● 81.4% had not been re-incarcerated
● 76.7% were employed
● 94.2% of those returned to Department of Corrections custody were re-incarcerated on a technical or probation/parole violation
“Addiction is a tough issue and affects generations in families”, explains Buchanan. “Some people really want to change, but don’t have the skills to make it happen. Some just don’t care, unfortunately. But the value of even one success for society is huge and that’s why I love what I do.”
The James Baker Hall Foundation understands the community impact of substance abuse and has invested in what we believe is an effective program to combat that. We are excited about our partnership with Write to Recover and look forward to collaborating together.