Peer Support Within the Criminal Justice System

Empowering Peers to Support Justice-Involved Individuals

Overview:
This 3-day (18-hour) Forensic Peer Support Training is designed for Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) and Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) who want to effectively support individuals with mental health or co-occurring challenges involved in the criminal justice system. Participants will learn how to use their lived experience to promote recovery, resilience, and reintegration at every point of the justice continuum—from initial law enforcement contact to re-entry.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to use your personal recovery experience to build trust and hope with justice-involved peers
• The role of peer support at each stage of the Sequential Intercept Model (arrest, court, incarceration, re-entry)
• Strategies to support peers navigating legal, mental health, and recovery systems
• Advocacy tools for promoting trauma-informed, person-centered care within justice settings
• Practical skills for working in jails, prisons, hospitals, courts, and community programs
   

Who Should Attend:

• Certified Peer Specialists (CPS)
• Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS)
• Individuals with lived experience in both recovery and the criminal justice system (preferred but not required unless otherwise noted)
   

Training Format:

• 3 days / 18 hours
• Offered in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats
• Interactive sessions include lectures, group discussions, role plays, and scenario-based learning
• Limited to 25 participants per session to allow for meaningful engagement
   

Applications in the Field:
Graduates of the training are well-equipped to serve in a wide range of settings, including:

• Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT)
• Jails, prisons, and re-entry programs
• State hospitals and forensic units
• Courts and probation/parole departments
• Community mental health centers
   

Why This Training Matters:
People with behavioral health challenges are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Forensic Peer Support plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of incarceration and promoting long-term recovery. This training helps build a more compassionate, informed, and effective peer workforce across Pennsylvania and beyond.