Jail rehabilitation program helps addicts become different, better version of themselves

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 8/19/20

VIENNA — A Maries County Sheriff’s Deputy commented to the instructor of the Rehabilitation Through Innovation program used at the Maries County Jail, that after the instructor had paid a …

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Jail rehabilitation program helps addicts become different, better version of themselves

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VIENNA — A Maries County Sheriff’s Deputy commented to the instructor of the Rehabilitation Through Innovation program used at the Maries County Jail, that after the instructor had paid a few visits and presented the evening’s program, he noticed something different and told the instructor about it.

“The girls made their beds,” the deputy said, commenting that making their beds was something new. The instructor thought this was a good sign.

Sean Seibert, Ph.D. in Management, is the instructor of the program currently underway at the Maries County Jail. The program is made possible by a grant through the Department of Health Resources and Services Administration and administered by MRPC. Seibert is going into county jails in the region whose sheriffs want the addiction and personal recovery program.

Seibert is the economic development person for Cuba and had done an entrepreneur program for youth. When asked about developing a program for addicts transitioning from jail to the workforce, Seibert said he could do it and he did.

“People burn their bridges,” said Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman, “and they need to know their life is worth something.” The program gives them options, ideas, and helps them get employment, which is important to staying off drugs and becoming a useful person in society. Sheriff Heitman wanted the try the program in the Maries County Jail after speaking to the Crawford County Sheriff who told him Seibert’s program was good and worked in Crawford County. “He said they (the inmates) liked the food and being a part of something,” Sheriff Heitman said.

MRPC’s Samantha Maddison, who is a Senior Community Development Specialist, said Seibert’s program helps the inmates realize their strengths and weaknesses and focuses on career planning and job placement. The participants take the WorkKeys assessment test which shows employers these persons have the skills to be successful employees. “He’s here to do something good for the inmates,” she said as the program seeks to break down barriers to work and success.

Seibert said people in jail are people who are in transition. They are looking for a better life, better employment but many have ancestral baggage. “You are here because of your choice, but your choices can get you out of here,” he said about what he talks to the participants about themselves.

He meets with the group five times, men and women separately. He goes into the jail and jail staff take care of him. Seibert said he feels safe as he builds relationships with the residents. He brings food and on that particular day the food was pizza and sugar cookies made by his mother.

On the first visit, they talk about ideas. During his 20 years of consulting work, Seibert has seen a lot of stories. Everyone has them and everyone has ideas, both good and bad. He shows them people with ideas, such as how to get a job, how to start a company and more. “It’s about them being a better version of themselves,” he said, adding being an entrepreneur is a mind set, but an occupation.

At the second session they talk about SWOT—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. He asks them what these are for them; are things good or not. Threats stop a person and can be self defeating.

At the next session they talk about the leader within a person and the ancestral damage that has been done and the demons passed on to them. He asks them to look inside themselves. “Your decisions have led you here,” if its jobs, relationships, all choices they’ve made to get to where they are now. They are still here and he encourages them “to own it. You’re here because of what you did.” He asks them to see that who they are, who they were, and who they become “are three different people in one lifetime.”

During a session they talk about changing their mindset. It’s okay and positive to forgive yourself. It’s not who I am anymore. Seibert helps them see they do have skills and talents and the things they are afraid to let go of. He said addictions and bad habits are hard to let go of.

The program participants take the WorkKeys assessment test and the program works with Missouri Job Center on this. If they pass at any of the levels of bronze, silver, gold and platnium, they receive a certificate. This certificate shows effort for self improvement. If they don’t achieve the certificate, they try not to let them backslide. The certificate helps them with their confidence and for employers the certificate shows them that person’s ability to do 90 percent of jobs. After the program, they can still contact Seibert or MRPC.

Sheriff Heitman recognizes the need for rehabilitation as he says any time he can help an inmate not be part of a revolving door at the jail, he wants to attempt it. He said he’s been arresting some of the same people for 15 years.

Seibert said he tells the addicts, “When you are in here (jail), I see the best version of you, sober and fed. I get to see a side of you that your families don’t.”

Those in the program who are released from jail or bond out, can come back to keep being part of the program. If they are not successful, they can come back and try again. Not everyone succeeds, but they have seen some successes. Seibert said it is “quality be design” and some of the participants are running their own freedom from addiction programs now. The program’s goal is to help them be a better version of themselves. It is something that is offered to them and they hope the inmates will take it and let it be the first step. Sheriff Heitman said the program helps prepare individuals to live on the outside without drugs.