IRACS helps individuals with mental health and substance use disorders
(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – Multiple community organizations came together to provide holiday care packages for inmates at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.
The initiative was led by IRACS (Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support) which is a peer-driven program that helps inmates with mental health and addiction recovery support.
IRACS worked with 1Voice, Celebrate Recovery, Redwine Construction, Wells of Love, and the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office to provide a care package to each incarcerated person.
The bags included pamphlets with community resources, journals, and snacks.
“This is a hard time for those in this population, and we wanted to show them that they’re not alone and they’re on our minds. They work hard toward change with IRACS, JCAP, and GED programs within the jail, and we wanted them to know it doesn’t go unnoticed and they’re worth it,” said IRACS Program Manager Aaron Spaulding.
Dearborn County was one of five Indiana counties to have IRACS piloted in 2022.
Since that time, the recidivism rate has decreased to 13.9 percent; the state average recidivism rate is 35 percent.
In 2022, the Dearborn County Justice Center population was 286 and has since dropped to 229.
Learn more about the IRACS program by clicking here. Here a few more photos from the holiday care package program:
