GREENFIELD, Mass. - More and more inmates are arriving at the Franklin County Jail addicted to opioids.
Recovering addicts go through 300 hours of intensive treatment within the first 6 months at the jail.
"They rewire your brain, you have to fight like hell to get out of that, so people who don't have support or means, said Franklin County Sheriff, Chris Donelan. "Its very, very difficult for them."
Franklin County is the state's first jail to use suboxone as a medically assisted-treatment method for opioid addictions. Inmates at the Franklin County jail participate in a variety of activities, including gardening, which is both a recreational and therapeutic part of the jail's recovery program.
"Everything is mindfulness-based, it's very modern treatment that's used in the community, which you don't see very often in jails," said Ed Hayes, Assistant Superintendent at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Michael McCaffrey told 22News the jail's recovery program has helped him overcome his life-long heroin addiction.
"I'm proud of where I am. Focusing on understanding my own attitudes, behaviors and beliefs for me to be able to make good decisions from now on," said McCarthy, Inmate at the Franklin County Jail.
Sheriff Donelan said inmates typically spend 6 to 10 months in the facility before they find work and housing in the community.
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