Page 35 - 2021_American Jails NovDec

Return to Normalcy
As the threat of COVID-19 began
to wane with increased vaccine
availability, programming has safely
resumed. The first programs to
resume were the work-related ones.
Military veterans resumed their jobs
in the laundry in November 2020.
Also at that time, the Veterans’
Tier moved from a cell setting on
the main jail compound to the
former boot camp site. This space
is more conducive to a program-
ming environment that can spur
more impactful interaction between
participants and instructor than a
cell setting, Gubser said.
In April, WestCare Illinois, which
provides substance use programs
and group counseling, returned
for in-person programming. And,
as restrictions ease, more partner
agencies who have worked with
the veterans are expected to return.
Therapeutic programming devel-
oped by jail staff—such as a drum
circle and creative writing—have
also resumed.
COVID-19 restrictions still limit
the number of men who can be Dexter said due to the pandemic and he plans to use the referrals he
housed on the tier. The number hov- it was difficult to get connected receives to maintain his sobriety
ers around 30 to maintain the ade- to resources. The fair helped to when he gets out.
quate social distancing. Regardless address his questions. “It was very “I don’t feel like I am locked up
of whether they are housed on beneficial for me to have that fair,” right now,” he said. “My mind is
this tier or in other parts of the jail Dexter said. “All those people in free. My body is free… And, when
compound, Coddington assists all one place.” I go back out there, I am going to
self-identified veterans with obtain- remain free.”
ing DD 214 forms and if applicable, Concluding Thoughts
referral to the Veterans Specialty Connecting these veterans with
Court that is operated through the resources affords them the oppor- Sheriff Tom Dart is dedicated to
county court system. The veterans tunity to receive benefits they have effecting change, protecting the
are also able to participate in other earned from their service. They also unprotected, and fighting for social
educational, job-training, mental learned about programs specifi- justice. After serving as a prosecu-
tor and state legislator, Sheriff Dart
health, or substance use program- cally for veterans that can help to decided to run for Cook County Sheriff
ming offered to the jail’s general keep them from becoming justice in 2006 on a promise to advocate on
population. All are provided with involved again. These programs behalf of the most vulnerable and
linkages to services when they leave address the underlying issues that neglected communities among us. He
custody. may have led to them encounter- has fulfilled that promise and reduced
the number of nonviolent offenders
In July, the jail held a resource ing the criminal justice system detained at Cook County Jail while
fair for the veterans on the tier con- in the first place: substance use, spreading awareness nationally of
necting them to VA social workers mental health, unemployment, and the ongoing criminalization of mental
and benefit coordinators as well as homelessness. illness. For more information, contact
ccso.communications@ccsheriff.org.
agencies that can help with hous- Ernest, the Marine veteran, says
ing and employment when they are the substance use program offered
released from custody. to him has had the most impact,

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