Valley State Prison (VSP), Chowchilla CA (original) (raw)

Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT)

Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) is a comprehensive and evidence-based cross-divisional Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) program to identify inmates at risk for substance-use disorder (SUD) related harms and provide treatment that reduces risk of overdose and other complications associated with SUD. Treatment may include behavioral interventions or Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), as clinically indicated.

CBI is evidence-based treatment which helps inmates understand the thoughts and feelings which influence behaviors. CBI is focused on helping inmates deal with a specific problem as identified by an assessment. During the course of treatment, inmates learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns which have a negative influence on behavior. CBI is an overarching entity with pathways to treatment inclusive of the ISUDT (Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient) and Life Skills programs managed under the authority of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs.

Inmates are placed into one of three program types based upon their clinical assessed need or medical referral: CBI-Intensive Outpatient, CBI-Outpatient, or CBI-Life skills.

These programs general objectives are to:

• Increase each inmate’s level of knowledge and skills associated with their SUD and issues contributing to their addiction.
• Increase each inmate’s level of knowledge and skills associated with their criminal behavior.
• Improve the inmate’s relapse and recidivism prevention strategies and skills.
• Address criminal and distorted thinking in order to eliminate anti-social thinking.
• Address the issues that contribute to the inmate’s SUD and criminal behavior including but not limited to: trauma, coping skills, relationship skills, emotion management and expression of emotions.
• Support inmates receiving MAT.

The goal of CBI programming is to eliminate criminal behavior patterns and substance use, abuse, and dependency.

Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP)

The Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) is a voluntary program for long-term and life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) inmates, which provides them with the training, education, and an opportunity to become an Offender Mentor Certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor. Upon graduating from the OMCP, the Offender Mentors are assigned as co-facilitators, working alongside AOD certified contracted counselors, in CBI programs throughout all adult institutions.

The primary goal of the OMCP is to provide CBI programs from a team of both OMCP AOD’s and AOD certified contracted counselors. At the completion of training, and upon obtaining the required amount of internship hours, Offender Mentors can obtain an AOD counseling certification from a certifying organization recognized by the Department of Health Care Services which can be used to obtain employment upon release.

Education: The VSP Education Department currently offers educational services to the inmate population via two service delivery streams; the Academic Program and the Career Technical Education Program. At any one time, the Education Department offers educational services to approximately 2,400 of our inmate population. Education is currently operating under a ‘six year accreditation without a review’ issued by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (approximately 3% of all schools in the Western United States receive this high a level of accreditation).

Academic Education Programs: 14 classes in Adult Basic Education levels I, II, and III; General Education Development (GED); Transitions; and High School. VSP also offers AA Degree programs through Feather River Community College, Coastline Community College, and Merced Community College as well as a BA Degree program through California State University, Fresno.

Vocational Programs: Automotive Mechanics, Building Maintenance, Cosmetology, Computer and Related Technology, Small Engine Repair, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Welding, Electrical Works, Carpentry, Plumbing, and Masonry.

PIA: PIA employs approximately 215 inmates in three separate operations: Farm Operation, Eyewear Manufacturing, Laundry and Healthcare Facilities Maintenance (HFM)

Community Resources Manager (CRM) And Community Resources Department

Identify, develop, and manage community-related areas, resources to meet Valley State Prison (VSP) and inmate program needs by planning, organizing, and directing Community Partnership Program (CPP) between VSP, community, stakeholders and special interest groups. Oversee CPP development by planning, organizing, and directing programs to develop, allocate, and coordinate community resources. Provide decisions in the design and implementation of new and innovative programs to benefit inmates and the institution. Identify, develop, and coordinate collaborative partnerships with stakeholders by facilitating continuity of services and transition from incarceration to community supporting CDCR reduction in recidivism. Solicit community support and resources by contacting community leaders, agencies through providing community-sponsored activities for inmates; providing training; implementing special events to improve relations between VSP and community stakeholders. Serve as a liaison for legislatively mandated Citizens’ Advisory Committee, Inmate Family Council, Inmate Visitor Council, Volunteer Advisory Committee, other civic organizations. Seek volunteer partnerships and monitor CDCR contractors who provide services for inmates, families and visitors i.e. anger management, arts in corrections, recovery programs, parenting programs, etc.. Supervise, monitor, and support religious programs as well as chaplain’s duties including monitoring implementation of court-mandated religious services and inmate religious dietary needs. Provide direction to inmate/family service contract employees; monitors and evaluates service contracts; serves as liaison for inmate/family service contractors to prison staff; and monitors gate clearances and institutional contractor identification cards for service contractors’ volunteers. Monitor staff sponsors of Inmate Leisure Time Activity Groups, Inmate Activity Groups, faith-based and reentry programs including volunteer recruitment for inmate self-help and religious programs.

Inmate Leisure Time Activity Group Programs

Inmate Leisure Time Activity Group [ILTAG] programs are designed for leisure time activities and are provided to comply with Federal, State and Administrative requirements. The CRD provides current list of ILTAGs, posted in the Housing Units, ILTAG sponsors and representatives. Examples of ILTAGs include, but are not limit to: Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (AA, NA) (12-step) programs; and Celebrate Recovery (CR), Christian-centered recovery program addressing addictions and compulsive behaviors. Inmates can earn Rehabilitative Achievement Credit (RAC) or Milestone (MCC) under the CRD for completion of approved ILTAG and IAG programs.

ILTAGs Include:

• Veteran’s Support Group- including Honor/Flag Guard, Marine Veteran volunteers
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 12 steps and Recovery & Support groups
• Victim Impact- English and Spanish
• Narcotics Anonymous: 12 steps and Recovery & Support groups
• Gavel Club similar to Toastmasters
• Criminal & Gangs Anonymous: English and Spanish
• Life and Beyond
• Celebrate Recovery: English and Spanish
• Spanish NA & AA
• SHARP – Self Help Awareness & Rehabilitation Program
• Timelist
• SAR – Self Awareness & Recovery
• Self Awareness Gathering Group – SAGG
• ART –Art Recovery Therapy
• Braille – certification; partner with local school for the blind to transcribe books
• VAMP – Valley Art and Music Program
• VSP: Veterans Service Dog program- community partnership, Inmate handler training; 4-12 months; train service dogs for veterans.
• Victim Offender-Healing Others Pain through Empathy –VO HOPE – crime survivors share experiences enabling offender accountability, crime insight, impact to reduce crime, harm, recidivism.
• YOGA – health and wellness for body and mind
• Journey to Wellness: Violence and Prevention and Domestic Violence
• Restorative Practices
• Anger Management
• GOGI – Getting Out by Going In
• Youth Offender- MAGIC

Non-ILTAG – Inmate Activity Groups (IAG) Include

• Group services such as: Prison Fellowship – TUMI [The Urban Ministry Institute] offering Christine based college courses; Freedom to Choose utilizes psychologists/psychiatrists to teach mediation; Prison of Peace an 18 month mentor certification, conflict resolution mediation program. County domestic violence, restorative justice, violence prevention, parenting skills, etc.
• Innovative, Long Term and CARE Grant vendors such as Defy, Place4Grace, GOGI, Prison Insight, VOEG, and the Inmate Center for Council.
• Family Liaison Services to assist families/offenders with the immediate and long-term effects of incarceration and act as a bridge via Conflict and Parenting Skill courses. The services include contacting lost family members, drug rehabilitation, post-prison marital assistance, transportation assistance for visiting family/departing inmates, counseling to help relieve incarceration anxiety.
• Arts In Corrections (AIC) contracted program courses through vendors i.e. California Arts Council grant, Red Ladder Theater Group, Fresno Arts Council including Djembe African Drumming; Story Creation; Native American Beadwork; Teatro/Drama; Music; Choir; Mural; Guitar. KAIROS Christian based self-improvement program; ReDirect youth diversion and scholarship program; Inmate Parenting Class by Madera Child Abuse Prevention Council, Violence/Domestic Program by Madera Victim Services; Prison Education Program 10 week, self-improvement, reflection, communication and interpersonal pro-social skills development.

Special Events

Numerous Special Events include: Get On The Bus; Bill Glass Weekend of Warriors; National Crime Victims Week walk-a-thon fundraisers; Special Olympics Northern California; Cancer Awareness including locks of love, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Finish the Fight Cancer walk; Fight against Human trafficking with Madera County Child Abuse Prevention Council; Back to School Backpack and Supply Drive for local elementary schools; Central California Blood Bank: Blood Drives; Coat & Toy drives.

DRP Programs
Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT)–Overview
On January 21, 2020, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) implemented ISUDT. ISUDT is a comprehensive and evidence-based cross-divisional program with pathways to treatment through DRP Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) programs referred to as:

CBI-Intensive Outpatient (Medical Classification T1, SOMS assignment code ISI) 2-hours/day, 5-days/week, 52-weeks completion

CBI-Outpatient (Medical Classification T2, SOMS assignment code ISO) 2-hours/day, 3-days/week, 14-weeks completion

CBI-Life Skills (Medical Classification T3, SOMS assignment code CB2) 2-hours/day, 3-days/week, 29-weeks completion

All participants will be assessed by medical and referred to one of the CBI classes.

Family Liaison Service Specialist
CDCR provides through a contract with a community-based organization an on-site Case Manager as a family reunification liaison for inmates and family members, to assist with an inmates pre-release preparation; and conduct Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution classes for inmates. Please call the Institution to contact the Family Reunification Liaison.