Associated Press Published

West Virginia Jail to Launch Addiction Recovery Program

Jail Cell

A West Virginia jail is set to launch a new pilot program aimed at helping inmates overcome drug addiction.

The Huntington Herald-Dispatch reports the program was announced Wednesday by the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety secretary, Jeff Sandy. The Western Regional Jail’s pilot program will serve 32 men and 32 women in Cabell, Wayne and Putnam counties.

The regional jail system currently doesn’t offer addiction treatment services. Sandy says the new $440,000 program will be paid for by the state and administered by Prestera Center. It will continue existing treatment plans and help eliminate maintenance drug abuse. It also will assist released participants with making appointments to continue treatment.

The director of Correctional Substance Abuse Control, Jack Luikart, says the program will start by January 2019.