New Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment Unit

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections has set up a treatment center at the state prison in Berlin for inmates with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The Focus Unit tries to increase access to and retention in treatment, decrease the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs and foster positive family relationships.

The curriculum emphasizes building motivational strategies, alcohol/drug refusal skills, relationship repair, communication skills, anger management, problem solving, long-term abstinence and recovery skills.

The Focus Unit will help offenders improve thinking and behavior skills while encouraging their ability to understand the connection between thinking, behavior, and consequences," Corrections Commissioner William Wrenn said.

The program will help inmates restructure their thoughts, learn new coping skills, participate in replacement activities and form new support networks.

It is structured to give inmates additional responsibilities that will require them to adhere to the security rules of the institution.

"This has the potential to help inmates better understand and manage their disorders while preparing them for a successful re-entry into the community," Wrenn said.