Desmond Haneef Perry

Experienced reentry and peer-support leader with over ten years of experience building trauma-informed programs for justice-involved individuals. Proven track record designing, implementing, and evaluating reentry initiatives, coordinating multisite peer-support training, and building trust-based partnerships with public defenders, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. Skilled in group facilitation, program development, and strategic analysis, with a commitment to advancing equitable post-release outcomes.

Statewide Forensic Peer Support Supervisor - Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Harford County, MD - Harford County, MD

(2023-03)

• Serve as part of a multi-disciplinary defense team to develop individualized treatment and reentry plans for clients, centering their lived experiences and needs
• Lead a team of Peer Specialists in 6 Maryland districts
• Provide peer support to clients during incarceration and after release, drawing on trauma-informed practices to foster trust and empowerment
• Lead community networking to expand the organization's resource library and support services for post-release clients
• Develop a Recovery Wellness Action Plan with the client
• Testify on behalf of the client as a fact witness
• Navigate after care and do follow-up reports

Peer Outreach - Maryland Peer Advocacy Council/Community Peer Project - Baltimore, MD

(2025-11)

• Provided peer support to engage individuals on a continuum of care to help them achieve and maintain motivation for continuing their care while maintaining recovery from substance abuse and mental illness
• Conducted outreach in the community, which helped build good connections and a great rapport with the community served
• Provided peer-based recovery support and advocacy to individuals in recovery
• Shared personal experiences to build trust and inspire hope
• Assisted clients in setting and achieving recovery goals
• Linked individuals to community resources, treatment programs, housing, and employment support
• Facilitated peer support groups, recovery education, and skill-building sessions
• Collaborated with clinical teams, case managers, and outreach workers
• Maintained documentation and adhered to ethical standards of peer support

Peer Criminal Justice Coordinator - H.O.P.E Baltimore - Baltimore, MD

(2023-01 - 2023-03)

• Develop and coordinate a court diversion program for low-level offenses
• Peer Specialist Program Training
• Orient new staff to HOPE
• Group and individual peer support session facilitation
• Outreach and relationship development with local partners
• Management of program communications and digital marketing

Co-founder/Executive Director of Peer Programs - RECTIFY, Inc. - Baltimore, MD

(2022-09 - 2025)

• Coordinate Peer Specialist training, supervision, hiring, and onboarding
• Forensic Peer Specialist Program Training coordination and logistics
• Coordinate and evaluate peer support programs for returning citizens, release planning, and inside local detention centers
• Data input, tracking, and organization
• Collaborate with local officials to develop and arrange MOU's and program specifics for each site
• Management of program communications and digital marketing

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Navigator - 3C Recovery Support Training Institute - Baltimore, MD

(2022-06 - 2023-01)

• Coordinate Peer Specialist Supervision scheduling
• Peer Specialist Program Training coordination and logistics
• Orient new participants to the CPRS Training program
• Data input, tracking, and organization
• Virtual calendar management
• Management of program communications and digital marketing

Lead Coordinator, Inside Peer Specialist Program - Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Jessup Correctional Institution - Jessup, MD

(2021-09 - 2022-05)

• Participation in a career training program with support from DPSCS, the Maryland Department of Labor, and the Opioid Operational Command Center
• Coordinated peer training toward Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification at Jessup Correctional Institution

Associate's - Addiction Counseling/ Allied Human Services - Baltimore City Community College (2022-09)

Certificate of Completion - Certified Peer Recovery Specialist - 3 C Recovery Support Training Institute (2022-04 - 2022-05)

Diploma - Psychology & Social Work - Stratford Career Institute (2020-05 - 2021-06)

Maryland High School Equivalency Diploma - GED - Anne Arundel County, MD (2006)