MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $598,000 grant to the Alabama Department of Corrections to help inmates overcome drug addictions tied to their incarceration.
The funding will support Residential Substance Abuse Treatment programs at eight state prisons. The program includes a six-month intensive treatment phase focused on ending addiction, followed by at least 12 months of group sessions aimed at promoting long-term behavioral change.
“Inmates who have overcome their drug dependency are much less likely to commit additional crimes upon release,” Ivey said. “These programs can help inmates take the steps needed to turn their lives around and make our communities safer.”
The grant is being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said substance abuse treatment benefits both inmates and the communities they return to after release.
“Substance abuse treatment programs benefit both the incarcerated individuals themselves and the communities they will return to when they are released,” Boswell said. “I am pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of this program to help prisoners become drug-free.”
ADECA oversees a range of programs statewide, including initiatives supporting law enforcement, victim services, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
