First Harford County Inmates Graduate From Addiction Treatment Program

BEL AIR, MD — The first group of inmates to participate in a program for those with substance abuse issues at the Harford County Detention Center graduated this week, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

"For some, incarceration is forced sobriety, giving the addict a window into sober living," Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said at the graduation ceremony. "During this critical time, we will provide support and services to help them maintain sobriety when they re-enter the community."

In creating the framework for the substance and behavioral health unit in Harford County, Gahler traveled to other areas to see how they helped their inmates.

Here's how the unit works in the Harford County Detention Center:

Staff members evaluate inmates in Harford County during intake to see if they are eligible for the program.

The program is managed by a licensed clinician from Correct Care Solutions, a national agency that offers health care for people who are institutionalized.

During the 10-week program, inmates participate in daily group meetings based on the 12-steps used in many recovery programs. Other groups supplement the meetings, providing additional approaches to recovery, such as Bible-based Mens33 and psychology-centered SMART Recovery.

A program coordinator sees the inmates weekly or on an as-needed basis.

To stay on the recovery unit, inmates must attend meetings and behave appropriately when guest speakers come; comply with medication treatment; behave respectfully toward staff; and complete assignments when they are due.

Before the substance and behavioral health unit existed at the Harford County Detention Center, there were several programs to help people with re-entry, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, but there was not an overarching structure in place to house inmates together and formalize the process into recovery.

According to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, the program's objective is to reduce the recidivism rate, curb drug-related crimes and help prevent overdoses.

"We need to do all we can to ensure people struggling with addiction are given the tools they need to be successful in recovery," Gahler said at Monday's graduation ceremony. "I am extremely proud of the individuals who have chosen to be a part of this new program and of my deputies who helped make the vision of this unit a reality. Together we will save lives."

File photo.