Why substance abuse treatment in West Virginia jails matters

Substance use disorder is one of the most common and most disruptive health issues affecting people in custody, and West Virginia has treated it as a public safety and public health priority for years. In correctional settings, treatment is not just about reducing drug use inside a facility. It is also about lowering overdose risk after release, improving behavior during incarceration, and helping people return to the community with a better chance of stability. West Virginia's correctional system continues to use residential substance abuse treatment, or RSAT, as a core part of that strategy. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

As of today, West Virginia's approach is especially relevant because the state continues to invest in treatment capacity inside prisons and jails. In April 2025, the governor announced new RSAT grant funding to support residential substance abuse treatment in multiple correctional centers and regional jail treatment units. That announcement shows the state is still actively funding and expanding treatment services rather than treating them as a one-time initiative. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

What RSAT means in West Virginia correctional facilities

RSAT stands for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment. In West Virginia, the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation describes RSAT units as long-term, residential, intensive treatment programs for inmates with histories of drug or alcohol abuse and addiction. The policy directive says these units are designed for people with a high level of need and are generally used for about six to nine months, with some placements lasting up to twelve months. ([dcr.wv.gov](https://dcr.wv.gov/aboutus/SiteAssets/Pages/Policies/WVDCR%20PD%20453.05%20Residential%20Substance%20Abuse%20Treatment%20%28RSAT%29.pdf))

The treatment model is based on a therapeutic community approach. In practical terms, that means the facility is structured to reinforce healthy routines, accountability, peer support, and behavior change. The policy also notes that national research has shown effective therapeutic community programs can reduce recidivism by 20 to 30 percent. That figure is a policy statement rather than a guarantee for every participant, but it reflects why the model remains central to West Virginia's correctional treatment strategy. ([dcr.wv.gov](https://dcr.wv.gov/aboutus/SiteAssets/Pages/Policies/WVDCR%20PD%20453.05%20Residential%20Substance%20Abuse%20Treatment%20%28RSAT%29%20%281%29.pdf))

How West Virginia uses jails and prisons differently

West Virginia's correctional system includes both state prisons and regional jails, and substance abuse treatment has been developed in both settings. Historically, the state launched its first inpatient treatment program in a regional jail in 2016, when the Southwestern Regional Jail opened an RSAT unit for men sentenced to Division of Corrections custody. At that time, the state already had RSAT units at multiple facilities, showing that jail-based treatment was an expansion of an existing prison treatment model. ([dhs.wv.gov](https://dhs.wv.gov/News-Announcements/Pages/W.Va.-opens-first-in-jail-drug-treatment-unit-for-DOC-inmates.aspx))

That distinction matters because many people in custody move through regional jails before or during state prison sentences. Treatment in jail can begin earlier, which may help stabilize people before they are transferred or released. The state has also continued to support treatment in regional jail settings through later grant awards and policy updates. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

Where treatment is offered

West Virginia's RSAT services are not limited to one site. The 2025 grant announcement said funding would support continued RSAT services at Beckley, Charleston, Denmar, Huttonsville, Lakin, Parkersburg, Pruntytown, Salem, and St. Mary's Correctional Centers, as well as substance abuse treatment units at regional jails. The Beckley Correctional Center and Jail page also confirms that Beckley includes a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Unit on the grounds of Jackie Withrow Hospital. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

The state's annual report for fiscal year 2025 says the system includes over 510 treatment beds tied to Residential Substance Abuse Treatment across facilities. That number suggests treatment remains a significant part of the correctional health and rehabilitation footprint in West Virginia. ([dcr.wv.gov](https://dcr.wv.gov/resources/SiteAssets/Pages/publications/2025.pdf))

What treatment inside a correctional facility usually includes

While programs vary by site, RSAT in West Virginia is built around structured, intensive services rather than a single class or counseling session. The policy describes a treatment environment that promotes healthy living and addresses problematic attitudes and behaviors through daily practice in a therapeutic community. In correctional settings, that often means a mix of group work, individual accountability, recovery education, and preparation for reentry. ([dcr.wv.gov](https://dcr.wv.gov/aboutus/SiteAssets/Pages/Policies/WVDCR%20PD%20453.05%20Residential%20Substance%20Abuse%20Treatment%20%28RSAT%29%20%281%29.pdf))

West Virginia's broader public health messaging also emphasizes evidence-based treatment and recovery support. The state's Department of Human Services has highlighted treatment, quick response teams, and other recovery services as part of a statewide response to substance use disorder. That broader context matters because correctional treatment works best when it connects to community care after release. ([odcp.wv.gov](https://odcp.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-department-human-services-observes-first-substance-use-disorder-treatment))

• Residential treatment in a structured custody setting
• Therapeutic community programming
• Behavior change and recovery-focused routines
• Preparation for reentry and community support
• Coordination with broader state recovery services

Why correctional treatment can help public safety

West Virginia's official messaging consistently links inmate treatment with breaking cycles of addiction, violence, and reoffending. That is a practical point, not just a policy slogan. People leaving jail or prison with untreated substance use disorder face a high risk of relapse, and relapse can increase the chance of overdose, new charges, or unstable housing and employment. Treatment during incarceration is one way to reduce those risks. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

The state's 2025 grant announcement specifically said the funding would help inmates receive services needed to end the cycle of drug abuse and crime. That language reflects a long-standing correctional philosophy in West Virginia: treatment is part of public safety, not separate from it. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

What makes West Virginia's approach notable

West Virginia stands out because it has maintained a visible, facility-based treatment model inside both prisons and jails. Some states rely more heavily on outside referrals or short-term programming, but West Virginia has continued to operate dedicated RSAT units and to fund them through state and federal grant support. The state's policy framework, facility pages, and recent grant announcements all point to an ongoing commitment to in-custody treatment. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

That said, caution is important. Treatment capacity does not mean every person who needs help can immediately access it, and outcomes can vary by facility, staffing, length of stay, and post-release support. The state's own policy language frames RSAT as a structured intervention for people with significant need, which implies prioritization rather than universal access. ([dcr.wv.gov](https://dcr.wv.gov/aboutus/SiteAssets/Pages/Policies/WVDCR%20PD%20453.05%20Residential%20Substance%20Abuse%20Treatment%20%28RSAT%29.pdf))

Looking ahead

As of today, the most accurate way to describe substance abuse treatment in West Virginia correctional facilities is that it remains an active, funded, and policy-supported part of the state's response to addiction. RSAT units continue to operate in designated facilities, regional jails are part of the treatment landscape, and recent grant funding shows the state is still investing in this area. For families, advocates, and justice professionals, that means correctional treatment in West Virginia is not an afterthought; it is a continuing part of the state's recovery infrastructure. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

For people affected by incarceration and addiction, the key takeaway is simple: in West Virginia, jail and prison treatment programs are being used to support recovery, reduce recidivism, and improve reentry outcomes. The system is not perfect, but it is clearly built around the idea that treatment behind bars can help change what happens after release. ([governor.wv.gov](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-announces-grant-awards-combat-inmate-substance-abuse))

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