MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday awarded a $210,605 grant to the Alabama Department of Corrections to continue its drug rehabilitation program. Alabama inmates serving prison time for drug-related offenses or crimes committed to support a drug habit could have the opportunity for treatment thanks to this grant.
“So many evils are rooted in illegal and illegally obtained drugs. In
Governor Robert Bentley
recent years, Alabama has seen a significant increase in the number of fatalities caused by opioid abuse, and we must assist those suffering from opioid addiction whenever possible,” Governor Bentley said. “I support this program as a way to reduce our prison population and to safely release people back into the public, once they have completed their sentence and want to become productive members of society.”
The six-month treatment program will be available at seven correctional facilities throughout Alabama and will be conducted by trained drug counselors and drug program specialists.
The funds from the U.S. Department of Justice are administered by the Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“This valuable partnership is a major step in helping inmates transition back into society,” ADECA Director
Jim Byard, Jr.
said. “Through this program, inmates who have struggled with drug dependency can take control of their lives and prepare to become responsible citizens once released. Public safety and our communities win when inmates are able to break an addiction.”
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
Governor Bentley notified state Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn that the grant had been approved.
Media Release/Jennifer Ardis Elmore, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
