WVCF inmates create art to express recovery journey

​Roger said, "I chose to do the serenity prayer with the eagle, because the serenity poem motivates me in my recovery while the eagle represents being free from my addictions."

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility


CARLISLE - Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) offenders competed in an art contest and learned about far more than only art.

The offenders in the Sober Living Environment (SLE) were offered the opportunity to create a piece of art to express what they had learned about themselves while going through the recovery process.  The artwork was then judged by Warden Richard Brown, Deputy Warden Kevin Gilmore and Deputy Warden Frankie Littlejohn. 

Christopher said, "Recovery gave me a chance to find God." 

• First place was awarded to offender Roger Delucenay
• Second place was awarded to offender Christopher Rinehart 
• Third place went to offender Michael Spears

Michael said, "I finally got to a point where I realized my substance abuse is only a symptom of what's really wrong with me.  This poem is my journey to get better."

Each participant seemed very thankful for the opportunity to share what they had experienced while living in the SLE. They were proud of what they had accomplished and wanted others to know what it meant to them.  

​Background
The goal of the Sober Living Environment (SLE) is to teach incarcerated individuals that their addiction recovery treatment is a priority, so they understand the role it plays in their successful re-entry upon release.  It is a part of the Recovery While Incarcerated (RWI) program utilized by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).  It provides offenders an opportunity to receive addiction recovery services at any point in incarceration. The program is designed to meet individual needs of participants.