Morris County Addiction Recovery Programs Celebrate Milestones
Published on June 28, 2024
June Marks Anniversaries of Hope Wing and Community Connections Programs
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners congratulate the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office for two integral addiction recovery initiatives celebrating their anniversaries this month: the Morris County Correctional Facility (MCCF) Substance Abuse Housing Unit known as the “Hope Wing” and the court-centered program Community Connections.
MCCF celebrates seven years of the Hope Wing, which opened in June 2017 to help inmates with substance abuse issues through group and individual interventions. Inmates must volunteer to join the Hope Wing and adhere to a structured weekly schedule. The program is overseen by MCCF Substance Abuse Counselor and Hope Wing Program Coordinator Michael Dunleavy and includes a team of professionals and dedicated community volunteers.
“It was a significant realization to us that we have 24/7 access to a population of individuals in the throes of addiction who need help and support. It was practically seamless to see how we could dedicate an entire section of our correctional facility for the purpose of recovery. I am proud of our staff who work tirelessly on the Hope Wing for the benefit of others, and proud of our fellow citizens who work tirelessly to change the trajectory of their lives,” said Sheriff James M. Gannon.
Key components of the Hope Wing include groups facilitated by volunteers in long-term recovery, such as members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and CARES. These volunteers provide testimony and support, demonstrating that sustained recovery is achievable. The program covers various recovery-related topics like relapse prevention, anger management, stress management, coping skills, and self-esteem.
Faith and spirituality are also important individual components in recovery. MCCF Chaplain Rev. Herman Scott helps the inmates with methods to utilize faith and spirituality as an integral facet to address addiction.
Since its inception, the Hope Wing has served more than 300 inmates, aiming to reduce addiction and recidivism in Morris County. The program continues to expand its services to meet the needs of qualifying inmates seeking recovery.
Complementing the Hope Wing, the Community Connections program was introduced three years ago in collaboration with the New Jersey Administrative Office of Courts. Community Connections connects court-involved individuals to essential services, including recovery support, mental health services, and social services. This innovative program serves as a pilot for New Jersey and has successfully connected more than 471 individuals to life-changing services.
The program addresses complex cases involving law enforcement, judicial processes, and treatment/rehabilitation components. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Re-Entry Program, the New Jersey Administrative Office of Courts, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office collaborate to support court-involved individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. The Mental Health Association and the Prevention is Key Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education & Success partner with the program to provide essential resources.
More than 20 providers were on site offering immediate access to services at the Community Connections Resource Fair held earlier this month in the Jury Assembly Room of the Morris County Courthouse. Speakers at the event included Sheriff Gannon, Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz and Community Connections Coordinator Officer Justin Sudol.
“Community Connections has established a vital link between social, mental health, and substance abuse services for community members in need,” said Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll. “The program offers a multi-faceted introduction to services, enabling individuals in crisis to access help and follow-up services that have proven highly effective. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office remains dedicated to continuing this mission, helping individuals connect early with services designed to address their social, mental, and medical needs, and providing alternatives to recidivist criminal prosecutions.”
Together, the Hope Wing and Community Connections programs provide comprehensive support to individuals dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. These initiatives highlight the importance of a multifaceted approach to recovery and reentry, addressing physical, mental, and social needs to for successful reintegration into society.
As these programs continue to expand and evolve, they stand as models for effective rehabilitation and support within the correctional system.
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Photo (l-r): Rev. Herman Scott - MCCF Chaplain, Correctional Police Officer Kevin Johnson, and Michael Dunleavy, MSW, LCSW, LCADC.