Deschutes County District Attorney, John Hummel, and Deputy District Attorney, Andrew Steiner conducted a Prosecutor Impact (https://prosecutorimpact.com/about-prosecutor-impact) experiential experience at our Prineville Adolescent Residential Treatment Program on Thursday, October 24. The goal of the exercise was for the pair to leave the facility with a better understanding of the individuals we serve, what we do and to gain a deeper emotional appreciation for the impact that treatment programs such as Rimrock Trails have on our shared community.
The visit included an interview and facilities tour with Residential Clinical Director, Lacey Sawyer. Of the experience, Sawyer shared, "I provided them an educational, experiential, introspective and interactive experience that demonstrated the benefits of treatment over incarceration."
The guests then had a sit down dinner with the teenage boys in treatment and concluded by meeting with three of the teens who were able to give first-hand testimony about how strength-based, trauma-informed and relational treatment approaches have promoted growth and recovery in their lives.
We asked District Attorney Hummel to speak about the experience.
What inspired you and Andrew to visit the Residential Treatment Campus?
"My deputy district attorneys and I held a week-long retreat facilitated by Prosecutor Impact focused on improving our understanding of the impact of the work we do as prosecutors on the communities we serve. One day of the retreat involved visiting community organization that plays an important role in improving community health and public safety. Andrew and I chose to visit Rimrock Trails because while we knew generally of the work you do, we did not know the details of how you help children and adults to thrive."
What were your impressions of the facilities, staff, and residents?
"The staff of Rimrock Trails are proud of the work they do. They welcomed Andrew and I and they were eager to help us learn about your organization. The clients were committed to their recoveries and were comfortable telling us about their challenges and successes. The facilities were clean and welcoming. Rimrock Trails was a place I would be comfortable recommending to friends or family."
What did you take away from the experience and how did the visit impact you and/or your thinking?
"Because of this visit I now view Rimrock Trails as a partner in my goal of making Deschutes County as safe and healthy as possible. Rimrock Trails staff expressed a desire to work with me and my team to identify underserved people in our community who could benefit from substance use and or mental health services and to design programs, in partnership with my office, to address their needs. In particular, we discussed the possibility of assessments being conducted in jail for inmates so when they are released they can immediately begin treatment. The Rimrock Trails staff had a can-do attitude with a consistent focus on the improvement of community health."
Is there anything else that you would like the community to know?
"Rimrock Trails is a community resource we should be proud of."
The staff and administration at Rimrock Trails thanks District Attorney, Hummel and Deputy District Attorney, Steiner for their commitment to the Central Oregon community and are honored to have been chosen for the CitySeek experience.
