Director of Addiction Recovery Services
Angela West
Mailing Address
302 W. Washington St, Room E-334
Indianapolis, IN 46204
What is Recovery While Incarcerated?
The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) Addiction Recovery Services Division, in partnership with our contracted medical services provider, provides a comprehensive addiction treatment program called Recovery While Incarcerated (RWI). RWI is a multi-faceted approach emphasizing screening and assessment, timely access to treatment, and individualized evidence-based care. RWI has replaced previous Addiction Recovery Services known as “Therapeutic Communities,” “CLIFF,” “GRIP,” or “Outpatient Treatment Services (Phases)”.
Recovery While Incarcerated (RWI) FAQ.
How long is the RWI program?
Most patients complete the RWI treatment in 7-9 months. RWI is competency-based, not time-based, so how long it takes an individual patient to complete RWI depends on how well the patient can learn and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and growth to meet their individualized recovery goals and treatment objectives.
Purposeful Incarceration
What is Purposeful Incarceration or “PI”?
The Purposeful Incarceration (PI) initiative is a partnership between the Indiana court system, the Parole Board, and the Department of Correction. PI is a sentencing recommendation that the court or the Parole Board can use in situations where the sentencing authority is committed to modifying a sentence upon the incarcerated person successful completion of addiction treatment.
Purposeful Incarceration (PI) FAQ.
What types of incarcerated persons are good candidates for Purposeful Incarceration?
Here are some examples of good candidates for Purposeful Incarceration:
- Patients whose criminality appears related to his or her addiction
- Patients who have committed and/or served time for numerous charges related to his or her addiction
- Patients who may be facing a significant sentence related to drug offenses
- Patients who have unsuccessfully been through other substance abuse treatment programs
- Patients who have a significant history of relapse
Common Misperceptions About PI
- PI is not a treatment within IDOC. PI is an initiative by which an incarcerated person may be granted a sentence modification if they successfully complete addiction recovery treatment while incarcerated. The treatment that PI-designated incarcerated persons must complete is RWI.
- PI is not a court order for substance abuse treatment. Patients may refuse to participate in RWI if they choose. Substance abuse treatment may only be mandated by a court order for involuntary civil commitment for substance abuse treatment.
- PI does not guarantee automatic or immediate admission to RWI. Patients must still meet clinical and administrative eligibility criteria to participate in RWI.