First Substance Abuse Treatment Unit Opens at a WV Regional Jail

West Virginia launches its first inpatient substance abuse treatment program in a regional jail today. The 28-bed unit will serve male inmates at the Southwestern Regional Jail in Logan County who are awaiting transfer to prison.

The Logan County program is the ninth treatment facility overseen by the state’s Division of Corrections, but the first at a regional jail.

The hope is that by opening a facility at a regional jail, substance abuse treatment can be begin earlier for eligible inmates who have a demonstrated history of drug use, but are not in a state level prison because there isn’t enough bed space.

The units are designed based on a therapeutic model that stresses structured, group-based therapy combined with individual participation and social interaction. Treatment lasts six- to 12-months.

The goal of the DOC treatment units is to help inmates break the cycle of addiction and improve their ability to live healthy and productive lives outside of a correctional facility, according to a Monday press release. Administrators also hope that rehabilitation will help inmates achieve parole earlier and ease prison overcrowding.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.