Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office team members recently joined the Sheriff’s Treatment Program (STP) at the Main Jail to congratulate 46 incarcerated men and women as they received Certificates of Achievement upon completion of six-week courses in Financial Literacy and Responsible Thinking.

Sheriff Bill Brown addresses Sheriff's Treatment Program graduates who are seated on white folding chairs and wearing royal blue jumpsuits.
Sheriff Bill Brown urges STP graduates to meet adversity head-on and makes suggestions about how they can uplift their lives. Credit: Courtesy photo

The STP improves long-term public safety and reduces each participant’s risk of recidivism by teaching effective, evidence-based interpersonal skills that guide the development of a pro-social lifestyle and change the behaviors that lead to criminality and other risky choices, the Sheriff’s Office said.

STP is separate from the educational and vocational opportunities available at the jail. As a stand-alone program, STP offers classes and services that meet the unique needs of those inmates most likely to return to custody due to extensive criminality, anti-social lifestyle choices, and limited pro-social opportunities and experiences.

Inmates who are at high risk of re-offending are identified for the intensive in-custody program. Services and classes include:

  • Case Planning/Management
  • Cognitive Behavioral Training
  • Criminal & Addictive Thinking
  • Drug and Alcohol Education
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Anger Management
  • Release and Reintegration

During the graduation ceremony, Sheriff Bill Brown encouraged each person to meet adversity head-on and shared insight on how they can revitalize their lives.

An additional group of graduates at the Northern Branch Jail will graduate from STP courses at the end of this week.

For more about the Sheriff’s Programs Unit, visit SBSheriff.org.