Q&A with Jolene Rebertus of MN Department of Corrections

Q. Jolene, thanks so much for doing this interview with us at Fortuna. You've had a long career at the Department of Corrections, from mental health and sex offense release planning to now being Assistant Commissioner. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey and what drew you to this field?

My journey wasn’t exactly linear. I started in pre-medicine but became intrigued by mental health while in college. After switching to psychology, I went on to graduate school at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where I focused on forensic psychology. My mom was a nurse, and my aunt was in law enforcement, so I already had a mix of healthcare and justice in my family. 

I ended up working in community settings and then joined the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MN DOC) in 2009. Over the past 15 years, I’ve held roles in mental health and sex offense release planning, corrections program management, and health services, all of which have deepened my commitment to addressing disparities and improving reentry outcomes.

Q: You’ve worked in various roles over the years. Can you walk us through some of those roles before we dive into your current initiatives?

Absolutely. I started as a Mental Health Release Planner, which involved working with individuals for several months before their release if they had a major mental health diagnosis like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Our role was to help them prepare for reentry by ensuring they had health insurance, psychiatric and medical appointments, and access to necessary medications. Depending on their needs, we might also help them transition to adult foster care or nursing homes.

Another key role I had was working with individuals convicted of sex offenses. This was more about helping them prepare for life on supervision, with a focus on job readiness and community integration. We worked on things like how to navigate a job interview and discuss their offense history, which is obviously a very difficult experience for many of them. It was about reducing barriers and helping them reintegrate into society in a productive way.

Q. Now as Assistant Commissioner, you oversee several health and recovery programs. Can you tell us about some of the key initiatives you're leading?

Everything we do at the Department of Corrections is a team effort, and I’m fortunate to work with an incredible group of people who care deeply about the healthcare we provide to incarcerated individuals. One of our main focuses right now is addressing the opioid epidemic, particularly the use of medications for opioid use disorder. We’ve implemented harm reduction strategies and peer support programs, which have been very well-received.

We’re also focused on accommodating the needs of our aging population, which is becoming a bigger challenge as more people are serving longer sentences. Additionally, we want to keep improving chronic and preventive care, as well as dental services. One of the more innovative things we’re doing is integrating peer support into our programming, where incarcerated individuals who have gone through specific training can co-facilitate groups alongside staff. It’s been a very impactful program.

Q. Can you elaborate on the Certified Peer Recovery Support initiative and how it’s been received within the correctional system?

Peer support has actually been a part of our system for a long time, whether it’s mentors, tutors, or aides. What’s different now is that we’re formalizing the process through initiatives like the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) program. We’ve partnered with the Minnesota Department of Health to offer a 40-hour certification course, and so far, we’ve trained over 120 individuals.

The program serves two main purposes. First, it helps increase employability post-release by providing a formal certification that can be used to find work or volunteer opportunities in the community. Second, it allows individuals who are still incarcerated to support their peers, using both their lived experience and the skills they’ve gained through the training. We’re also working on proctoring the certification exams before individuals are released, so they can hit the ground running when they reenter the community. It’s been very well-received, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow.

Q. How do you decide which programs to invest in, and how do you measure their effectiveness?

That’s a really important question. First and foremost, we look at equity and inclusion in everything we do. It’s critical that we consider the unique needs of different populations—whether that’s based on race, gender, or other factors—when we’re designing programs. We also focus on evidence-based practices, making sure that what we’re doing is supported by research. We don’t want to go down a path that’s not proven to be effective.

We also rely heavily on data. We track outcomes through our annual legislative performance report, which is available on our website. That report helps us see where gaps might exist in our resources, and we use it to inform our funding requests and program priorities. Leadership support is also key—whether it’s the state’s goals or our commissioner’s priorities, everything we do aligns with those broader objectives.

Q. The opioid epidemic continues to evolve, especially with the rise of fentanyl. How has DOC adapted its harm reduction strategies and use of medications to address this crisis?

Back in 2016, we recognized that Minnesota, and the incarcerated population, wouldn’t be immune to the opioid epidemic. We actually went out to Boston to learn from what Massachusetts was doing at the time, and that helped us develop a state plan that included medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), better data tracking, and targeted efforts to address disparities, particularly for Native American and Black Minnesotans who are disproportionately affected by opioids.

One of the most alarming things we’ve found is the increased risk of overdose post-release. Research shows that individuals released from correctional settings are significantly more likely to die from an overdose—up to 28 times more likely than the general population. This is why we’ve expanded the use of MOUD, including buprenorphine, methadone, and Vivitrol, and have placed a heavy emphasis on education around overdose risks and harm reduction strategies.

We’ve also made a concerted effort to provide fentanyl test strips at release, not just for adults but also for youth. Even though it can be controversial, we know that many young people experiment with drugs and may not even know they’re using something as dangerous as fentanyl. Providing these tools can be lifesaving.

Q. You mentioned partnerships with other agencies and organizations. How does the DOC collaborate with external stakeholders to achieve your goals?

We partner with a wide range of organizations, both within Minnesota and nationally. We work closely with all 87 counties and 11 tribal nations in Minnesota, as well as the Minnesota Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. At the end of the day, most of the people in our system will be released back into the community, so it’s essential that we collaborate with these agencies to ensure continuity of care.

We’re also involved in national networks, such as the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and the American Corrections Association. These connections are invaluable because they allow us to learn from the experiences of other states. For example, through the NCCHC, I’m part of a confidential listserv where health directors from across the country share challenges, successes, and innovations. These organizations provide valuable resources and opportunities to learn from other states and correctional systems, which helps us stay ahead of the curve in terms of best practices.

Q. Finally, looking ahead, what are the one or two biggest areas of growth or improvement that you and your team are focused on?

One of the biggest areas we’re focused on is the 1115 reentry demonstration waiver, which allows individuals to be eligible for Medicaid before their release. This is a significant shift for corrections nationally, as it will enable us to better coordinate care and support for individuals as they transition back into the community.

Another major area is addressing the needs of our aging population. As more people serve longer sentences, we’re seeing an increase in the number of elderly individuals in our system, and we need to ensure that we’re providing the appropriate care for them both during their incarceration and post-release. It’s a complex issue, but one that we’re committed to addressing.