If you’re working in a corrections role, you probably know that many inmates in correctional facilities suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD) and will continue to struggle with this disorder unless they receive more support.
About 63 percent of people in jail and 58 percent in prison have a substance use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). At least 1 in 5 people in the U.S. are locked up for a drug offense, with 361,000 incarcerated for drug offenses on any given day, according to a Prison Policy Initiative report released this year.
Nationally, substance use disorders are more common among people who are arrested (41 percent), and people incarcerated in federal (32 percent) or state prisons (49 percent) than the general public (8 percent). Every year, at least two million people with substance use disorders are arrested, with about half a million people in state and federal prisons meeting the criteria for such disorders when they’re admitted (Prison Policy Initiative).
Given the increasing prevalence of these disorders among people serving time, correctional personnel and criminal justice professionals feel compelled to help more than ever. However, many professionals may feel unprepared to take on this role due to lack of training, and current efforts dedicated to helping those serving time with substance use disorders are relatively ineffective because they tend to be more punitive and overlook the needs of specific populations, says the Initiative.
If you find yourself needing a formal SUDs education, but aren’t interested in pursuing a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) license because you’re fulfilled in your current role, you are not alone. Gaining SUDs training and knowledge through a flexible certificate program can be the pathway for criminal justice professionals like yourself to build the confidence and skills to provide high-quality care without the commitment of a formal licensure program.
Who in the Criminal Justice System Benefits from Substance Use Disorders Counseling Education?
A scientifically proven approach to decreasing repeated drug use and crime once incarcerated individuals return to their community is to provide comprehensive SUDs treatment within the jail and prison systems. Criminal justice professionals and community members who can benefit from SUDs education and training include:
- Probation and parole agents
- Treatment court coordinators
- Jail or prison program staff
- Diversion program coordinators
- Drop-in center case managers
With this specific group of professionals in mind, the 100 percent online UW-Madison Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program, offered through the UW Flexible Option, includes 360 hours of specialized SUDs education, designed to be completed in 24 weeks or less. The certificate program is taught by Pat Gutierrez, a licensed SUDs counselor who has 25 years of experience, 18 of them as a clinical supervisor. The program curriculum has recently been updated with new course material including practical applications, discussions, case studies, and much more.
Pat brings best practices in the field, information about trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and how to implement SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals. With trauma-informed care, a counselor considers events in the client’s life that may have led them to substance abuse but without re-traumatizing them, such as a house fire or domestic violence. As opposed to telling people what to do to recover, this approach is more about meeting people where they are and can be especially effective for those in the criminal justice system.
As part of your coursework, you’ll complete practical assignments like writing a treatment plan. You can also engage with fellow students through reflection papers, offering comments and discussing topics further. You’ll also have access to office hours with Pat if you need 1:1 help.
What Will I Learn by Earning a Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate?
By earning the UW-Madison Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate, you’ll complete readings, case studies, quizzes, and a summative exam where you apply all the SUDs knowledge you’ve learned at the end of the program. The well-rounded certificate dives into a variety of best practices, some of which relate directly to the work of criminal justice professionals:
- The family system’s role in recovery
- Collaboration with community-based SUDs support
- Examination of what substance use disorders really mean
- Working with individuals in early recovery.
Equip Yourself with a Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate While Continuing to Work Full-Time
Advancing your education and having a direct, positive impact within the criminal justice system can happen faster than you might expect.
Online learning is a great way to complete your education while continuing to work full-time. The certificate’s strength is rooted in competency-based education (CBE), which leans on your work and life experiences to complete topics you know faster and take more time on new concepts. This 100 percent online certificate was strategically built to expand your existing knowledge while you complete coursework on your own schedule with direct access to the course instructor. You’ll be able to apply concepts you learn on the job immediately that can make a real difference in your community.
Interested in learning more? Contact a helpful enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or emailing flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.