IS IT POSSIBLE FOR CONVICTED FELONS TO REALLY LIKE THEIR PROBATION OFFICER?

In Greg Petersen’s case the answer is yes. He works in a highly selective and coveted federal diversion program (UACT) that can keep individuals out of prison and set them on a positive path for life. In this week’s Odyssey House Journals you will see a side of the criminal justice program you’ve probably never heard of.

A WOMAN AND A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING SAVED HIS LIFE, BUT UNTIL THEN HE WAS A HARD CORE CRIMINAL

When he was 10 years old a group of teens invited him to play football. Little did he know they were in a gang and did drugs. In this week’s Odyssey House Journals Micah Niles says he finally found acceptance with them, but it also led him down a dark path of drugs, crime and prison. He fought through it with help from the love of his life and a treatment program.

“I WAS HALF NATIVE AMERICAN AND HALF CHILEAN AND I NEVER FIT IN ANYWHERE”

So Elias Corrial turned to drugs and alcohol to feel comfortable around people his age. In this week’s episode of Odyssey House Journals, he tells a chilling tale about how that ultimately led him to prison.

METH ADDICT AT 14. SIX YEARS IN PRISON. NOW SHE’S CHANGING LIVES

Sherry Moreno seemed destined to fail. In this week’s Odyssey House Journals she talks about growing up in a home with addicted parents and finally doing prison time for an armed robbery. What’s really amazing is what she is doing now!!

HE STOPPED CRAVING HEROIN AFTER A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

“It just vanished,” says Kevin Johnson in the latest Odyssey House Journals podcast. He found recovery 5 years ago and now works to help others travel the same path.

SHE WORKS MIRACLES FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY

She’s an Episcopalian priest, started Flourish Bakery, employs people getting out of treatment programs, and is just a really good, loving human being. In this week's Odyssey House Journals we feature Amy Altizer, best friend to people in recovery.

SHE HAD BRAINS, BEAUTY, AND SUCCESS. SO WHAT WENT WRONG?

Tricia Bateman had it all, but when her marriage fell apart at age 30 she turned to booze and drugs for the first time in her life. In this week’s edition of Odyssey House Journals, the registered nurse talks about the allure of meth and the struggles she went through to keep her nursing license and her children.

HE WAS A HOMELESS ADDICT FOR YEARS. YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHERE HE IS NOW!

Mike Cox stepped off the bus from California and walked into the crime-infested Rio Grande area in Salt Lake and he stayed there for years, homeless and hooked on spice and meth. On this week’s Odyssey House Journals the incredible story of how he went from there to having a loving partner, a young son, and a job as a program manager at Odyssey House.

HIS IDENTITY WAS TOTALLY WIPED OUT AT THE AGE OF 4

This is one of the most incredible stories we’ve ever had on Odyssey House Journals. A.J.Collette went from being a Christian to a Jew. From living in Los Angeles to Israel, escaping a Jewish school, flying back to L.A., becoming a gangster doing dope, to now working at Odyssey House. You have to watch or listen to the full podcast because it’s like a movie.

CLEAN OR DIRTY, ABUSER, ADDICT. DON’T USE THOSE WORDS!

That’s one of the things Anna West teaches in her health class at Salt Lake Community College. In this week’s Odyssey House Journals she says you should simply ask yourself if the words you use will help or hurt a person. The self-described nerd leaves a real impression on her students