LEWISTON, Idaho — The Lewiston GEO Reentry Service and the Idaho Department of Corrections recently hosted a transition celebration for individuals on probation and parole who successfully completed the Connection and Intervention Station Reentry Program. A total of 14 individuals graduated from the program, which aims to equip participants with skills and strategies for lifelong success.

"At the end of this program is for them to have received skills and strategies to get them through the rest of their life," GEO Reentry Connection and Intervention Station Program Manager Rachel Sutton said.

Graduates met all their goals and needs, including criminogenic needs, through a unique experience tailored to each individual. Participants undergo assessments, such as the Level of Service Inventory Revised Assessment, to predict the likelihood of re-offending. Other assessments include the ASAM, a criminal thinking scale assessment, and a brief mental health screening.

During the program, individuals work with probation or parole officers, community providers, and resources for mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence. The program's goal is to guide participants onto a better path.

"We have the ability to reach individuals. It's very much on an individual level because even if one person makes a change in their life that affects generations after them," Sutton said.

One graduate, Joshua Nick, overcame a deep struggle with addiction through the program. "I changed my friends, found new hobbies and activities to pick up during my free time, got super involved in recovery and self-recovery," Nick said. Initially doubtful about graduating, Nick is now a training coach with Celebrate Recovery, helping others find faith and move away from drug addiction. "I am super excited. I've put in so much hard work to come this far from the life of addiction and chaos that I was living before," he said.

Second Judicial District Judge Mark Monson attended the celebration, expressing his support for the program. "It's really rewarding to see them take this opportunity and run," Monson said. He emphasized the program's importance in the community, noting it as a 2/2 crucial step before more severe judicial actions are considered. "Sometimes from the court's perspective, kind of the last step here in the community before we have to take some further action and send them to what we call sometimes a retain jurisdiction or prison," Monson said.

This year's celebration saw more graduates than previous years, highlighting the program's growing success.

Story originally published by KLEW