Susie McEntire, front row third from left, is pictured with the fourth class of JCAP at the Kosciusko County Jail Saturday morning, Dec. 14. Also pictured are representatives from G&G Hauling, including Mike Loher, second from left in the front row. Ink Free News photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

WARSAW — Country music artist Susie McEntire visited the fourth class of the Jail Chemical Addiction Program at the Kosciusko County Jail, Saturday morning, Dec. 14.

McEntire and her husband, Mark Eaton, were in Warsaw ahead of their Toys for Tots benefit concert Saturday evening at Lakeview Middle School.

Suzie is a sister of music legend Reba McEntire, and is in Warsaw for the weekend. She’s performed locally for six years in a row during the Christmas season.

JCAP is a 90-day program that addresses substance abuse issues by providing treatment and education opportunities for inmates. JCAP saw the graduation of three classes since its inception in Aug. 2018. The first and second classes of women graduated from the program in February. and May 2019, respectively. The first class of men graduated in September.

JCAP coordinator Courtney Jenkins, who facilitated Saturday’s visit, said that the current class of nine inmates is the most unique so far. She acknowledged the program members this time around are, “a little rougher around the edges than we are used to.” Even so, she said they have come a long way during their time in the 90-day program.

Susie McEntire and husband Mark Eaton sing a duet a capella to the fourth class of JCAP. Ink Free News photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

“They’re all looking forward to meeting you,” Jenkins said to McEntire. “A couple even asked if it would be okay to get your autograph.”

McEntire, Eaton and the group went around the table introducing themselves. Eaton and McEntire made a point to tell the JCAP class, “What you do does not make you who you are,” said McEntire. 

After a duet sung a capella with McEntire, Eaton used illustrations in an impromptu motivational speech directed toward the nine members of JCAP.

Mark Eaton talks with inmates. Ink Free News photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

Eaton’s message conveyed the idea of the necessity of opening up for the goal of personal growth rather than staying inside themselves. “Boys build walls, men grow when they find something greater than themselves to nurture and care about,” said Eaton.

While the group was mostly silent, Jenkins assured that the group “will have a lot to talk about when we meet again Monday.”