Jail‐Based Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Ecosystems: Qualitative Insights From Forensic Peers on Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation

ABSTRACT

Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are increasingly integrated into key points of contact within forensic and legal settings to address behavioural health needs among justice‐involved individuals. Yet, little is known about the factors influencing PRSS implementation in jails. This qualitative case study identified facilitators and barriers to implementation of a jail‐based PRSS program. We conducted focus groups with five forensic peer teams from the program (Total N  = 32 peers). Data were analysed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis to identify determinants of program implementation. Key facilitators included strong recovery ecosystems characterised by cross‐system collaboration, structured guidance through a programmatic workflow that balanced fidelity and local adaptation, and the growing professionalisation of the peer workforce. Barriers included stigmatising attitudes towards peer roles, physical and procedural constraints within jail environments, geographic and policy limitations on program reach, and concerns about funding stability. Overall, findings underscore the complexity of embedding PRSS in carceral settings and highlight the importance of relational and structural factors of a community in shaping implementation success. Insights from the forensic peer teams offer practical strategies for jurisdictions seeking to implement or scale jail‐based PRSS and contribute to the growing literature on system‐level approaches to recovery.