This past November, four Centre staff members, Program Manager Heidi Frueh, BOP Case Manager McKenzie Murray, Case Manager Deaja Munoz, and Care Coordinator Liz Nesdahl, volunteered to assist the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with a Reentry Simulation event for members of the North Dakota Judicial Conference. The event was held at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck and was attended by justices of the Supreme Court, as well as district and municipal court judges.
I want to share my story in the hope that it may inspire others who are struggling with addiction.
I have faced significant challenges in my life, having been incarcerated four times. Unfortunately, during my first two stints, I was unable to access the support I needed from Centre Inc. My journey with addiction began at the age of 16, starting with marijuana and alcohol. By 17, I was facing minor alcohol-related charges, and my life continued to spiral downward as I accumulated more legal issues.
My probation officer eventually informed me that she would be testing for synthetic substances, and when I tested positive, she offered me a chance at treatment. Unfortunately, I relapsed and continued down a destructive path. In 2017, I was revoked and spent 32 months in prison. Upon my release in 2019, I was fortunate to be sent to Fargo Centre, where I found a job and began to rebuild my life. I attended aftercare and was committed to my recovery.
Despite my progress, I relapsed after seven months of sobriety, which led to missed meetings with my probation officer. With her support, I entered treatment again and successfully completed it, securing my own apartment and finding a renewed sense of purpose. However, after about eight months of sobriety, I fell back into old habits and relapsed again.
Former Centre resident Jerry Goulet
On April 29, 2022, I was incarcerated once more, facing new charges and a revocation. Determined to achieve sobriety, I began attending in-person AA meetings and realized how vital the recovery community is. On July 17, 2023, I was sent to Centre in Grand Forks, where I reconnected with the NA program and the supportive community around me. I was released on November 27, 2023, with a renewed sense of hope and responsibility.
Since my release, I have worked hard to rebuild my life. I obtained my license and became certified as a peer support specialist, helping others in schools and the community. I understand the struggles faced by those recently released from prison, and I am committed to helping them avoid the pitfalls of addiction and criminal activity.
Being at Centre Inc. has truly transformed my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back. I have been sober since April 20, 2022, and I actively support others by providing transportation to meetings, helping them find their path to a better life. I believe wholeheartedly that everyone deserves a chance at recovery and a brighter future.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Jerry Goulet
Former Resident