MTCRC NEWS
2025'
MT Community Reentry Coalition
Zoom Meeting, Wednesday, August 20, 2025 @ 3:00pm
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84916730702?pwd=UM6bxeqdR50eHpByQYJWUZiXCOYXPO.1
Meeting ID: 849 1673 0702
Passcode: 887098
MCRC 4th Annual Statewide Mini-Conference-
October 30, 2025/10a.m.-4p.m.
Register ASAP at dyoung@montana.edu Space is limited
Billings Double Tree/27 N. 27th Street/Room Skybridge 4
1.888.862..9770/406.252.7400
Montana Department of Corrections Spring Quarterly Update 2025
https://cor.mt.gov/DOC-Quarterly-Update/Spring-2025-DOC-Quarterly-Update-Newsletter-Layout.pdf
Other DOC News:
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the new DOC Desistance Coordinator, Jessi Westerhold. Below is her personal introduction and her contact information:
Jessi is the Desistance Coordinator with the Montana Department of Corrections. That’s a complex word to describe the department’s efforts to shift from measuring recidivism – correctional system failure – to metrics that generate success within the re-entry population and track progress toward ceasing criminal behavior all together.
Jessi has a strong background in program design, implementation, management, and evaluation, policy development, data analysis, and clinical treatment. When she’s not analyzing business processes, she’s inspiring teams to achieve results through impactful change. Her superpower is improving efficiency by simplifying complex processes.
Jessi is charged with improving re-entry outcomes and offender success and is excited to connect with practitioners who work directly with the re-entry population.
Jessi Westerhold
Offender Outcomes Specialist / Desistance Coordinator
Rehabilitation & Programs Division
Cell: 406.533.9131
5 S. Last Chance Gulch | PO Box 201301 | Helena, MT 59620
“How is DOC going to describe and measure post – incarceration outcomes in Montana?
That’s the golden question! My role will ultimately work on defining exactly that. I’m tempted to forward some draft work including a logic model and data metrics, however, because the department is still working through those details, it’s a bit premature to share externally.
The short answer is that the department wants to support and measure many aspects of an individual’s re-entry, to include:
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Basic Needs: food, housing, safety, physical and mental health, transportation.
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Socioeconomic Status: education and training, employment skills and experience, income, financial knowledge and skills.
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Integration and Well-Being: life outlook, identity transformation, prosocial behaviors, executive skills functioning, family support and attachment, peer associations, spiritual support, civic and community involvement, and legal.
In terms of measurement, desistance looks at progress in each of these areas while also looking at incremental steps towards ceasing criminal behavior. Desistance will eventually include metrics of deceleration of criminal activity (slowing down the frequency of crime), de-escalation of criminal activity (reduction in seriousness of crime), and ceasing criminal behavior all together.
It gets quite complicated when discussing measurement, which is where the department will focus much of our efforts. We know desistance data is not collected easily and will require many data sources. Perhaps there’s a way for committee members to partner. Looking forward to those conversations!
News of Possible Interest: David Young:
Prison Policy Initiative, October 2o, 2025 - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/
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2025 Montana Crime Prevention Conference | Registration is Open! https://mbcc.mt.gov/Events/Crime-Prevention-Conference-Training/
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BJS Releases Criminal Victimization in the 22 Largest U.S. States, 2020-2022
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NCCHC 2026 Standards - 1
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2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit
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COCHS WEEKLY UPDATE: September 16, 2025
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Recovery Bulletin: September 2025 Recovery Month Edition:
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Study Shows Community Coalition-Prioritized Strategies Increased Naloxone Education and Distribution in Jails
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Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month | SAMHSA
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First-of-Its-Kind Plan to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents
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DPHHS is pleased to inform you that the state-funded, no-cost naloxone and fentanyl test strip ordering system has resumed. You can now submit an order by visiting the following webpage: Naloxone Ordering Website
The Power of Community in Recovery
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CROSSROADS – Impact-Report-FY24-25-Single-Pages.pdf
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Fundraising AI Global Summit, September 15-16, 2025; Register Free – https://fundraising.ai/summit/
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Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in County Jails — Outcomes after Release P.D. Friedmann and Others N Engl J Med 2025;393:994-1003
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NEW NCCHC Standards for Mental Health Services in Correctional Facilities - 2026 Standards - 2
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NCCHC - 2025 Webinar Brain Injury 3
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NEW WEBINAR: Youth Risk Factors & Services to Reduce Reoffending
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Prison Policy Initiative - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/
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Each year, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. die from suicide and drug- and alcohol-related causes. The Pew Charitable Trusts
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MT DPHHS – Safe Sacred Spaces – Training
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Arkansas Division of Correction to Improve Medical Care and Mobility Services
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09/05/2025 08:00 AM EDT Today, the Justice Department announced an agreement with the Arkansas Division of Correction (ADOC) to provide necessary medical care and mobility services to disabled inmates of ADOC’s Ouachita River Unit prison facility, as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
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US Department of Justice Meetings on Montana's Children's Behavioral Health System - Nami Montana – September 8, 2025
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Jail-Based Competence Restoration: Spotlight on Colorado - Policy Research Associates
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Advancing Medication for Opioid Use Disorders in State Prisons - Policy Research Associates
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National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) – Call for proposals – SC26 Call For Proposal 2
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Montana to double capacity of Boulder women’s prison https://x.com/bozchron/status/1960862699488989491
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MBCC - 2025 Montana Crime Prevention Conference
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Living and Working Conditions in Five State Prisons: Cross-Site Findings from the Prison Research and Innovation Initiative
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Conducting Participatory Research in Prisons: Lessons from the Prison Research and Innovation Initiative
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An Overview and Basic Application of Operational Medicine in the Correctional Setting registration - NIC WebEx Enterprise Site
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Prison Policy Initiative – https://www.prisonpolicy.org/
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Hope Center Ministries (HCM) Newsletter - August 2025 Newsletter by hopecenterministries - Issuu
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Safe Sacred Spaces Training Event – Free Entry Training: Oct 25, Hardin: New Life Church 1:30PM - 3:30PM
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Advancing Data in Corrections Academy—Online Courses Now Available!
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Spotlight: State Prison Reform | Urban Institute
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Introduction to Motivational Interviewing Online Course – Justice Clearinghouse
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Living and Working Conditions in Five State Prisons: Cross-Site Findings from the Prison Research and Innovation Initiative
NEW WEBINAR: Strengthen Community Responder Programs
Prison Policy Initiative August 25, 2025 - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/08/25/youth-pie-2025/
NCCHC - 2025 Webinar Measles and IBD
SAMHSA Announces $43M in Supplemental Funding to Support Essential Youth Recovery Housing Services
The Fortune Society - Justice for All by The Fortune Society - Issuu
Building a Safety Net of Connections and Resources for Your Community – Justice Clearinghouse
Urban Institute - Living and Working Conditions in Five State Prisons: Cross-Site Findings from the Prison Research and Innovation Initiative
NCCHC - SC26 Call For Proposal 2
NCCHC Releases 2026 Jail/Prison Health Standards, Introducing Digital Format, Key Enhancements, and New Requirements – National Commission on Correctional Health Care
ASAM Pocket Guidelines and Patient Guide - ASAM Opioid Use Disorder Patient Guide 2025
Improving Health and Safety as Youth and Young Adults Leave the Justice System: State Implementation of Policies to Strengthen Continuity of Care at Reentry | Health and Reentry Project
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The Justice Clearinghouse - Intergenerational Trauma Online Course – Justice Clearinghouse
Justice Center, Council of State Governments - How We Can Help Your State Use Medicaid Reentry Waivers
From Crossroads Prison Ministries - A Mission Field Behind Bars: Brian’s Story - Crossroads Prison Ministries
Certificate in Correctional Chaplaincy or Reentry Leadership - Certificate Program | Correctional Ministries Institute
Week 4: Promoting Dignity Through Connection - 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit | SAMHSA
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Justice Center, CSG - New Findings on Youth Risk-Reduction Services
National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) - 2025 Webinar Infection Control
JAMA Network - Mental Health and Substance Use Linked in New Survey by Samantha Anderer; Andy Rekito, MS
Recovery Residences of Montana
SUPPORT Act Reauthorization Clears House
The House passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act with strong bipartisan backing: 188 Republicans and 178 Democrats voted yes (final tally: 366–57). The bill now heads to the Senate.
What's in the Bill?
Reauthorizes essential federal programs for substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery through 2030.
Expands grants for community-based recovery organizations
Increases funding for housing supports, including recovery residences.
Provides loan repayment for rural SUD workforce—vital for Montana's behavioral health needs.
Prioritizes support for pregnant and postpartum individuals with SUD.
Enhances peer-run training, technical assistance, and overdose prevention (e.g., naloxone distribution and fentanyl alerts).
Safeguards the 988 Suicide Lifeline and bolsters first responder resources.
Budget Highlights: Funded Programs
These allocations extend through FY2026–2030, delivering substantial federal investment directly aligned with RAM's work across Montana's rural, tribal, and urban communities.
Program Amount Per Year
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Overdose Prevention Grants 505.579 million
CAREER Act Workforce/Reentry Grants 210 million (total)
BCOR Peer/Community Recovery Centers 17 million
Prenatal/Postnatal SUD Support 4.25 million
Why It Matters for Our State
This bill opens doors to more grants stabilizing funding for housing, peer support, and workforce development. It positions us to compete effectively as federal focus shifts toward housing, peer services, rural access, and family-centered care.
Next Steps & How You Can Help
The bill is now with the Senate HELP Committee.
Act Now: Contact Montana's U.S. Senators—Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines—to voice your support. Share personal stories about how federal recovery funding has impacted your work or community—it makes a difference.
Senator Tim Sheehy
Washington, D.C.: (202) 224-3121
Contact form: https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/contact
Senator Steve Daines
Washington, D.C.: (202) 224-2651
Contact form: https://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve
Peter Maney
Executive Director
Recovery Access Montana
Recovery Residence Alliance of Montana
☎️ (406) 272-3603
💻 rramontana.org
MTCRC NEWS
2024/2025 News
Montana DOC Quarterly Update
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Montana Department of Corrections Fall Quarterly Update 2024
https://cor.mt.gov/DOC-Quarterly-Update/Fall-2024-DOC-Quarterly-Update-Newsletter-Layout.pdf
*Winter Update coming soon!
***DOC welcomes their new Desistance Coordinator, Jessi Westerhold. We look forward to meeting Jessi at our next meeting in February.
December Tidbits
1.From Governor Gianforte:
I am pleased to share my Path to Security and Prosperity Budget fully funds all Phase 1 foundational recommendations contained in the Commission's final report.
Pursuant to the statute, I authorize up to $100 million to implement the following recommendations contained in the final report.
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Refine and Refigure the Current 0208 Comprehensive Waiver Services Rates.
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Expand the Service Delivery System to Support Individuals with Complex Needs.
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Redefine and Reopen E&D Clinics to Support Families Effectively.
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Enhance the Targeted Case Management Program.
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Implement a Care Transitions Program.
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Adopt Electronic Bed Registry and Enhance 988.
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Redesign Rates to Improve In-State Youth Residential Services.
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Invest in School-Based Behavioral Health Initiatives.
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Incentivize Providers to Join BH and DD Workforce.
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Expand and Sustain Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
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Prison Policy Initiative - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2024/12/02/medicare-probation-parole/
2.Never Alone Recovery Support Services
and
The Recovery Residence Alliance of Montana
Are proud to present a Fletcher Group Training:
Enhancing Recovery Housing
Through the Peer-Led Social Model
January 9th & 10th 2025
9-am to 4-pm
Salish Kootenai College: Theater
Tony White will present a two-day training session on implementing the Peer-led Social Learning Model of Recovery, in both Recovery Residence Programs and Recovery Community Drop-in Centers.
Contact Don Roberts
droberts@narssmontana.org
3.
CONTACT
You can also contact us by using this form: