JUNE 17, 2024
Strategy 8:
Know and work the 12-steps
For this strategy, we examine one of the most structured and time-tested paths to rehabilitation: Strategy 8 – Know and Work the 12-Steps. More than just a program for addiction recovery, the 12 Steps are a spiritual and emotional roadmap for self-honesty, accountability, and change. Whether or not addiction played a central role in the life crime, working the Steps can reveal the deeper patterns that led to harm and how to transform them.
Strategy 8 – Know and Work the 12-Steps emphasizes that simply attending recovery groups isn’t enough, applicants must actively engage in the 12-Step process. This means doing the written work, sharing in meetings, getting a sponsor, and internalizing the principles of humility, amends, and service. The strategy stresses that parole suitability isn’t just about behavior change but spiritual growth, which the Steps help cultivate. Applicants are encouraged to apply the Steps not just to substance use but to character defects and thinking patterns.
Notes
This strategy highlights the importance of deep, ongoing participation in the 12-Step process. It distinguishes between attending meetings and working the Steps, clarifying that the Board wants to hear what you’ve learned and how you’ve changed. It also points out that the Steps provide a way to continually address relapse risks, victim impact, and emotional triggers. Whether dealing with addiction, distorted thinking, or anger, the Steps help root out the causes beneath the behavior.
Recap & Takeaways
Strategy 8 reinforces that recovery isn’t passive, it requires action, reflection, and commitment. The Board is looking for proof that you’ve done the inner work, not just shown up for the program. The 12 Steps offer a universal framework for transformation that applies to all forms of dysfunction, not just substance abuse. If you can articulate how each Step has shaped your insight, it makes your testimony and your growth more credible.
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Each week, we break down a chapter from 36 Strategies of Suitability and explain why it matters.
