In a significant shift of services, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) has revamped the infrastructure and programming at the Eagle Point unit, situated within the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis. This overhaul ushers in a new licensed inpatient care facility dedicated to serving male inmates diagnosed with serious mental illness and those battling substance use disorders. The change heralds an increased focus on meeting the needs of a population commonly found on the margins of correctional systems.
The metamorphosis of Eagle Point results from the tireless efforts of ADCRR staff across various sectors, materializing as a more holistic approach to inmate well-being. According to a statement obtained by the Eagle Point Unit News, the department's mission is to "reimagine corrections with modernized correctional practices that promote systemic wellness." A cornerstone of this endeavor is the Art of Our Soul program, crafted by founder Brandon Lee, which integrates the existing clinical therapy with hands-on art creation, hoping to unlock new pathways to rehabilitation.
Previously, therapeutic options at the Eagle Point unit might have been restricted to traditional forms of counseling—either individual or group—leading to variegated results in terms of inmate recovery and readiness to reintegrate. "When we try new things, we see different results," ADCRR Director Thornell told Eagle Point Unit News. Director Thornell, a proponent of Art of Our Soul, sees this initiative as more than a program—it's a potential catalyst for community safety borne from personal transformation.
This year alone, the program anticipates that around 250 inmates will experience the multi-week sessions. They'll be guided by facilitators armed, not just with empathy, but with personal experience that matches the harsh realities faced by their charges. It's a remarkable bid to create an environment where mentorship and creative expression intersect, potentially changing self-perceptions and breaking cycles of recidivism—a noble effort that aligns with Thornell's sentiment: "Healed people lead to increased public safety." More information on the Art of Our Soul program is available on ADCRR's website.
