Experimental Prison in NJ Acts More Like Rehab Center than Jail

It seems as though the government is starting to take notice that time spent in prison or jail should be used to rehabilitate the offender rather than being seen totally as a punishment. Though there are many forms of rehabilitating people, addiction treatment is New Jersey’s current focus – at least as far as the prisoners at Mid-State Correctional Facility are concerned.

The prison hosts nearly 700 inmates, all of which are addicted to some substance or another. Because of that, the facility has a very sharp focus on its goal of not only rehabilitating inmates in leading a crime-free life, but in living a sober life as well.

New Jersey’s opioid problem has led to a crime problem.
People who are drug addicted often commit crimes and land in prison, and if these individuals don’t address their addiction they’re likely to commit more crimes and cost society more money, experts say.
Armed with these realities, New Jersey has become one of the first states in the nation to devote an entire prison and millions of dollars to treating inmates with addictions. NJ Advance Media was the first news agency inside to see how it worked.
Unlike most prisons, where just a few inmates get treatment, almost everyone at Mid-State Correctional Facility, a 696-bed facility sequestered on the grounds of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is treated for a panoply of addictions. This entire institution, in effect, has become a licensed drug-treatment center. Click Here to Continue Reading

Dr. Michael DeShields, MD, ASAM, DABAM( Medical Reviewer )

Dr. Michael DeShields, MD, ASAM, DABAM, is a distinguished Medical Director with nearly 40 years of expertise in addiction medicine. A diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 1996, he is renowned for his leadership and commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care. Dr. DeShields earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his training at Cooper University Medical Center, where he cultivated his passion for addiction treatment. His dedication and innovation continue to shape the field, guiding clinical teams and supporting patients on their recovery journey.