Indiana Prison Opens Methamphetamine Treatment Unit

Indiana's Miami Correctional Facility opened a new unit dedicated to treating inmates with methamphetamine addictions.

"The physical damage done to inmates who have come here on meth is very extreme. So anything we can do to help keep them from returning to using meth, the better for society," said John VanNatta, superintendent of the correctional facility. According to VanNatta, the treatment program was funded by cutting costs in other prison programs.

The treatment program, named Clean Lifestyle is Freedom Forever (CLIFF), houses participants 9 to 12 months in a self-contained wing of the prison. The opening of the program enrolled 26 inmates, but the facility is capable of treating up to 204. Participants are eligible to reduce their sentence by up to 6 months.

The Governor attended the official opening of CLIFF, demonstrating that meth use is a public issue in Indiana, which is fourth in the nation for destroyed meth labs last year. In Knox County, the percentage of all cases that were meth-related rose from 17 percent in 1999 to 77 percent in 2004.

Some restrictions on inmate eligibility include a significant history of methamphetamine abuse, a clean disciplinary record and a release date between 14 and 24 months after admission to the program. Over 900 of the 22,140 state inmates qualify for participation.

The program is a work in progress, says VanNatta, and will be tailored as results are monitored.
(4/22/2005)