New volunteer jail program helps inmates with mental illness
TIPPECANOE CO., Ind. (WLFI) – The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office is in the beginning stages of a Community Navigator Program, which helps support inmates with mental illnesses.
According to 24-Hour News 8 sister station, WLFI, Tippecanoe County Jail inmate Heath Burgess said he’s involved in the new program because he believes in its mission.
“It gives you an honest perspective on how you can change your life,” said Burgess.
Burgess has been in and out of jail since he graduated high school in 1996. He said he sees himself in some of the younger inmates in the program.
“Some of these kids are just kids, they’ve got their whole lives ahead of them,” explained Burgess. “And even though I’ve seemed to have wasted mine, I’d like to try to make sure that they don’t do the same.”
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Barry Richard said at no cost to the county, the volunteer program offers both spiritual and practical support for inmates.
“The primary goal of the Community Navigators is to get our inmates, our participants, back into the community and have them to be successful and be a good, responsible citizen,” explained Richard.
Right now, there are 16 community volunteers and around 30 inmates participating.
“They are not getting anything in return – no reduction of time, no lesser sentence,” said Richard. “They are only in the program to better themselves.”
Tippecanoe County Jail’s mental heath professional, Jennifer Uhl, said Community Navigators is a resource for inmates with all types of mental illnesses.
“Anxiety and depression, substance dependence, of course. That is a mental health disorder,” explained Uhl.
Kurt Howard has been in and out of jail because of his heroin addiction. He’s considering the program.
“If I didn’t come back, that’d be great. That’s what I plan on doing when I get out,” said Howard.
He said he wants to join Community Navigators so he can learn how to keep himself busy. He said keeping himself busy is what keeps him out of trouble.
Sheriff Richard said his next step is to contact community employers, and ask them to get involved in the program.
“Because once they see these individuals – work with them, and get to know their true character and so forth – they will feel comfortable in having them work for them,” explained Richard.
Burgess said the program gives inmates hope for the future.
“Without that hope, without active people who are trying to present that hope to you and keep it alive – like Jennifer, and the Sheriff and the people that come in and volunteer their time with these programs – then everyone is lost.”
