Kolbe’s Ashcroft Rehabilitation program graduates 80
The Kolbe auditorium was packed with family and friends as eighty persons including prisoners and officers received certificates from the Ashcroft Rehabilitation Program. It was the completion of Kolbe’s eleventh program designed to bolster the self esteem and productivity of participants. News Five’s
Duane Moody has this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
They stood proud with their accomplishments. And while two have been released on probation, seventy-eight persons—including inmates and officers—participated in the ninety-day rigorous rehabilitation program at the prison. Director of Rehabilitation, Jesus-Juan Vega says that it builds character.
Jesus-Juan Vega, Director of Rehabilitation
“The ninety-days of intensive therapy is one of the programs here that is the most recommended programs at the prison. It deals with self discipline and deals with the whole insight of looking at yourself, the addictions that you have and how is it that it came about. Why is it that you are incarcerated and why is it that you suffer from depression, anger and stress? What are the solutions towards these things? So that upon your return, and even the officers, they can more understand inmates and what they are going through.”
It was an emotional moment and Voela Pook, who has been remanded for murder, says that the program has changed her life.
Veola Pook, Graduate, Rehabilitation Program
“It was quite intensive but it did help me in a lot of ways because first of all, I did not know that my emotions were an addict. I thought for once it was just using drugs and alcohol. I didn’t know your emotions could be a problem too.”
Ari Vanzie, Graduate, Rehabilitation Program
“In order to be considered for parole, I have to partake in the rehabilitation program which we just completed now. In the first instance, it was difficult for me—I didn’t really like it; a lot of discipline. The spiritual aspect of it I liked it because I already gave my life over to God.”
Officer Deayrol Dougal, who works at Kolbe, also graduated today. He says he is on the path to complete recovery.
Deayrol Dougal, Graduate, Rehabilitation Program
“I neva know that my life had come unmanageable. I was working at the prison three years going to four years up and down until I was caught up in a situation where I was sent to prison, remanded for a shooting that commit. Going into the program, trying to understand myself, I was a hardball. Still don’t want to give up the wrong stuff that I have done because I doesn’t drink, I don’t smoke but I have seen where my emotion have tear me up so much.”
Incorporated in the program are the twelve steps of alcohol anonymous, cognitive behavior, spirituality and religion. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.
