TAFT, Okla. -- The inmates are up long before the sun. Eddie Warrior inmate Sara Hagan-Ingle said, “We get up at 5:00 am every day.”
This is the regimented treatment program at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center. It’s a 4 month program to address substance abuse and other negative behaviors. According to Hagan-Ingle, It’s not an easy program at all. I hated it at first. I absolutely hated it. The only words out of my mouth were, I’m ready to go back to the yard.”
RTP teaches the women ways to avoid drug and alcohol use, while also helping them develop social, emotional, and coping skills. Inmate Chara Lewis said, “We have the parenting class and we do anger management. I’ve also taken a couple of classes that were faith based through the chapel which we have that opportunity here too. That’s helped me a lot with studying the bible. And applying it to my life.”
These character-improvement programs and classes are key components to avoiding re-incarceration. Unit Manager Vanessa Witherspoon said, “We have a pretty high success rate. Our recidivism rate is very low in comparison to the general population. With every group we might lose 1 or 2 people.”
The regimented treatment program is not easy – but these inmates are motivated to graduate. Hagan-Ingle said, “Number one, it’s your way home. That’s how I looked at it. I have to do this or I’ll do 10 years on the yard. It’s done amazing things in me and I thank God for it every single day.”
