“Trust the process:” NARR Level 3 recovery home approaches to working with criminal legal system-involved residents

Abstract Individuals involved with the criminal legal system (CLS) face significant challenges upon release from carceral settings, particularly those with substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid overdose rates considerably greater than the general population. Recovery homes play a pivotal role in providing a supportive and stable living environment for individuals reentering the community. However, little is known about recovery homes’ ability to assist residents in meeting court-ordered requirements and facilitating connections to community resources. Findings from focus groups conducted with staff from four Level 3 recovery homes as part of a larger comparative case study show recovery home staff are crucial to the long-term success of CLS-involved individuals. Staff leverage their lived experience to create a safe, trusting environment, channeling residents’ energy into structured recovery plans that build incremental stability. They provide in-house programming, connect residents to community resources, assist with probation/parole conditions, and shield against situations that might hinder recovery. This study highlights the crucial role of recovery home staff in bridging the gap between courts and CLS-involved residents, supporting long-term recovery and reentry. We recommend future research to explore intra-agency models where staff expertise can drive system-level changes for sustained recovery and reintegration.