A new program at our local jail is offering hope and a new beginning for inmates who are released back into society.
It’s a partnership between the Caldwell County Jail and “Where New Beginnings Start” offered by owner Stephanie Boaz, a board-certified Christian Life Coach/Counselor and Batterer Intervention Provider (BIP).
Deputy Jailer Cheryl Pettit says the jail has been trying to get some type of program for anger management and addiction recovery for the past several years to help inmates get back into society.
click to download audioBoaz tells WPKY’S News Edge she has been providing services for 15 weeks and this program has been one of the biggest things to touch her heart.
click to download audioBoaz adds this is something she wanted to do for quite some time and Deputy Pettit has allowed her to talk to the inmates and offer services for Anger Management, Domestic Violence/Batterers’ Intervention, and/or Addiction and Recovery classes. Most recently, she has been providing one-on-one counseling.
click to download audioAccording to Boaz, one inmate has successfully completed the program with another inmate to receive his certificate next week.
click to download audioShe counsels about ten inmates at a time and when one inmate graduates from the program another inmate is brought into the program.
Boaz says she is excited that the inmates are willing to participate in this program that is about helping them to have a better life after incarceration.
click to download audioOne of the main purposes and the driving force behind her trying to get into the jail system was the loss of a family member who had been incarcerated for almost ten years and battled addiction.
click to download audioDeputy Pettit says some of the changes she has seen in the inmates participating in this program are hope, behavior and excitement that they have something to look forward to. She says this partnership with “Where New Beginnings Start” is a great thing for the community and the inmates.
click to download audioDeputy Pettit also thanked Boaz for stepping up and giving the inmates an opportunity to live a productive life.
