Jail Program Director challenges victim mindset and encourages positive change

MARSHALL COUNTY — Program Director for the Marshall County Correctional Facility Joshua Pitts counsels inmates and facilitates numerous classes including evidence based Moral Reconation Therapy.

Helping individuals recover is a collaborative effort involving several entities. Pitts works with other organizations and oversees the facilitation of other classes including but not limited to the Marshall County Purdue Extension Office, Heartland artists Gallery New Life Creations, the Bowen Center, and the Women’s Care Center.

He encourages participants in the programs to become the best version of themselves by taking personal responsibility for their future and for their family’s future; regardless of what has happened to them and regardless of what unhealthy choices they may have made in the past.

He combats the mindset that once someone has experienced a traumatic event that they have

to or should remain a victim. “The world owes me, you and or anyone else nothing. If we want something we have to be willing to work for it. The victim mentality in my opinion has a strong negative impact on our society these days. If all one focuses on is being a victim than he or she will not be able to accept the responsibility or taking ownership of their life and working toward their own goals,” said Pitts.

By offering a wide variety of growth opportunities within the jail, Pitts hopes that upon release, each individual will be empowered to continue to make healthy choices. He hopes that individuals will make positive changes that start within themselves that will benefit not only them, but their family and their community.

Stephan Kozikowski shared his thoughts on the victim mentality. “I feel the victim mentality is a product of selfishness. There is a primal urge for self-preservation. But an evolved, more spiritual human being has more concern for others and less for self.”

Pitts emphasized that change requires continual commitment and follow through. “In life you cannot be successful by hoping someone else will fix your problems. We can absolutely help people by teaching them tools and skills, but ultimately, they have to choose to use those tools and skills and accept responsibility for their own lives.”

Please see several photos of programs included in this edition of the Pilot News.

PHOTO PROVIDED Intern educates inmates. Purdue Extension Office Intern Gina Tordi facilitated a presentation to the Jail Chemical Addictions Program (JCAP) participants Wednesday on health and nutrition. Tordi is a student at Purdue University studying to be a dietician.she told Program Director Joshua Pitts that she has enjoyed her experience at the jail and noted not all interns had the same unique opportunity.