DATE: October 24, 2025
SUBJECT: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Partners with SWIRE to Launch Jail-Based Recovery and Reentry Programs
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-1024
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the launch of Southwest Indiana Recovery and Empowerment (SWIRE), a peer-led nonprofit organization now operating within the Vanderburgh County Jail to provide recovery and reentry support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Housed inside the jail’s old inmate visitation section, SWIRE’s certified peer coaches will meet with participants while they are still in custody. This proactive approach ensures that each person leaves jail with a personalized recovery plan and meaningful connections to community resources.
Sheriff Noah Robinson emphasized the importance of this partnership, “SWIRE represents a major step forward in our county’s response to addiction and recidivism. By beginning the reentry process before release, we’re helping to ensure that individuals have the support and structure they need to rebuild their lives. This initiative strengthens public safety and promotes healthier outcomes for our entire community.”
SWIRE’s operations are made possible through local opioid settlement funds allocated by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners and the City of Evansville. Sheriff Robinson expressed deep appreciation for the elected leaders who made this investment possible. “We are deeply grateful to Commissioners Justin Elpers, Amy Canterbury, and Mike Goebel for their leadership in directing opioid settlement dollars toward solutions that truly change lives,” said Sheriff Robinson. “Former Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave was instrumental in championing this funding for use at the jail, and we also thank Mayor Stephanie Terry for her partnership and vision in supporting this effort to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration.”
Under the leadership of Executive Director Katherine Beyers, SWIRE’s mission is to empower individuals in recovery by fostering dignity, connection, and long-term support. “Our peer coaches will walk alongside participants from inside the jail into the community, making sure no one faces reentry alone,” said Beyers. “Recovery is not just about treatment, it’s about building relationships, stability, and hope.”
SWIRE’s programs are designed in alignment with Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support (IRACS) standards, positioning Vanderburgh County as a ready partner for future state-level funding opportunities. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, chaired by Knight Township Trustee Kathryn Martin, that brings together community leaders with both lived experience and professional expertise.
Sheriff Robinson explained, “We believe recovery equals connection. By investing in peer-led reentry programs like SWIRE, we are not only helping individuals recover, we’re building a safer and stronger Vanderburgh County.”
For more information or to learn how to support SWIRE’s mission, visit www.swireconnect.org