10 MA Sheriffs' Offices Receive Grant for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

The Healey Driscoll Administration announced that 10 Massachusetts Sheriff’s Offices will receive grant funds to deliver substance use disorder treatment programs for incarcerated individuals.

The funds were awarded through the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program. The federal program is funded by the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and managed in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR). Ten Sheriff’s Offices will receive a combined total of $310,000 in federal funds to support residential and jail-based treatment programs. Each of the grant recipients applied for funding through a competitive application process in 2023 and were eligible to receive continuation funding this year.

“Substance use disorder can profoundly impact the lives of those who experience it, as well as their families and communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These funds will help ensure that incarcerated individuals have access to essential services that will help them return to their communities healthier, stronger and better equipped to sustain a positive future.”

“Incarceration alone does not address the factors the lead individuals to offend. By funding treatment for incarcerated individuals, we’re helping address one of the underlying issues that contributes to justice-system involvement,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This approach empowers individuals to improve their future while strengthening the safety of communities across Massachusetts.”

“This funding to our jail-based program will increase access to treatment to individuals with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders during incarceration,” said Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott. “It will also improve the continuity of care with our reentry services, by delivering treatment and aftercare services."