A peer-driven mentoring case management community reentry model: an application for jails and prisons

Welcome Home Ministries (WHM) is a peer-driven reentry program for women reentering the community from jail and prison. One of the major contributing factors to a high recidivism rate is the presenting issue of co-occurring disorders stemming from early childhood abuse and trauma found in 85% of the women seeking the assistance of WHM. The peers within WHM, having experienced mental health issues, substance abuse, and incarceration themselves, identified and developed a specific reentry program for this population. This article presents the results of a yearlong study that addresses the following: (1) the issue of co-occurring disorders; (2) the impact of early childhood trauma and abuse on the rate of incarceration; (3) the outcomes for restoration and recovery; and (4) the desire of the women to give back to the community.