1. Pilot Peer Mentoring Program at WSPF
Initiation in June of 2015
- Began with 1 peer mentor
- By the end of August 2015, 3 peer mentors Number of mentors needed, continued to expand and by early 2017, WSPF had 9 peer mentors.
Staff noticed progress participants were making in working with their mentors and a decline in crises calls and suicide watch placements.
Behavioral improvements of participants were also noted.

2. Implementation of CPS in Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC)
In November of 2015, a group of WI DOC staff toured the Pennsylvania prison system to learn more about peer mentoring in a prison setting.
After the visit, contacts were made with DHS staff from Wisconsin to inquire regarding the CPS certification and if it was possible to bring to DOC.
Meetings occurred with DOC, DHS and Access to Independence staff. All were supportive of implementing CPS in DOC and a plan was developed for implementation.

3. Implementation of CPS in WI DOC
In Summer of 2016, 2 DOC trainers were designated.
Trainers took on-line course through UW- Milwaukee Continuing Education during Fall Semester.
2 WRC (DHS) trainers were also designated
3 day Trainer Training Occurred in March 2017

4. Implementation of CPS in WI DOC
The first group of Peer Specialists was trained in April of 2017 (10 from WSPF and 8 from OSCI)
Second group of Peer Specialists was trained in January of 2019 (5 from OSCI, 4 from DCI, 3 from WRC, 1 from WSPF)
Current facilities Utilizing CPS:
WSPF
OSCI
DCI
WRC (DHS Facility)

5. Implementation of CPS in WI DOC
Overview of how each of the facilities use CPS
Mental Health Units
Restrictive Housing Units
Intake Units
Infirmary Unit
General Population Units
Benefits of CPS

6. See Videos of Peers and Staff regarding reactions to CPS in the Dept
See Videos of Peers and Staff regarding reactions to CPS in the Dept. of Corrections

7. Challenges of CPS in Corrections
Skepticism by some staff
Other inmates’ reactions
Boundaries
Logistics of meetings
Self-care of CPSs

8. Implementation of CPS in the WI DOC
Development of CPS Oversight Committee
Policy Development
Need for each Facility to have a Peer Specialist Oversight Committee

9. Facility Peer Specialist Oversight Committee (PSOC)
Facilities that participate in CPS will have a Facility PSOC.
Membership of the Facility PSOC includes:
1. Chairperson as determined by the Warden
2. Psychology Services staff member
3. Deputy Warden/Designee
4. Security Supervisor
5. Unit Sergeant/Officer
6. Other staff as determined by the Warden

10. Expansion of CPS in WI DOC
Females to be trained at TCI beginning week of August 12th
Males from the other 3 maximum security prisons (CCI, GBCI and WCI), will be coming together in September at WRC to be trained.
By the end of September, all of the Maximum security prisons will be utilizing CPS.

11. Future Plans of CPS in the DOC
Long term goal is to have CPSs at every facility in DOC (each custody level: maximum, medium and minimum).
Long term goal is to have Re-entry Peer Specialists working with inmates prior to release from prison and following with them in the community.