Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) celebrated the graduation of 13 inmate residents from the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program during a graduation ceremony held on Dec. 5, in the agency’s training room.

 The RSAT program provides participants with an opportunity to pursue rehabilitation through a structured three-month curriculum. The initiative focuses on helping individuals strengthen cognitive, behavioral, social and vocational skills, along with other tools essential to overcoming substance abuse challenges.

 Sheriff Brown has emphasized the Office of the Sheriff’s commitment to rehabilitation, seeing it as crucial for individuals reintegrating into society as productive citizens. He has highlighted the months-long RSAT program as instrumental in equipping inmate residents with the necessary tools for a productive life post-incarceration. 

 “Supporting these inmate residents on their path to success is not something one person can do alone,” Brown said. “It requires a team effort to guide them through the program and continue supporting them afterward. I am grateful for the ongoing commitment of my staff and facilitators who work tirelessly to provide these individuals with the resources they need for a successful future.”

 The following inmate residents graduated from the RSAT program: Jacop Pickens, Jeremy Maddox, Timothy Perryman, Sedrick Bolden, Floyd Jacobs, David Drake Jr., Michael Taylor, James Hamilton, Jackie Pigg, Aaron Wilcox, Pennie Poss, Jalisa Blackwell and Angel Jones.

The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Elder Andrew Jones, a longtime member of Berean Christian Church who has served in and provided leadership to numerous areas of ministry.

 According to a news release from the NCSO, the office has recorded a 43.88% reduction in repeat offenders returning to the facility since 2008. The Sheriff’s Office currently offers more than 20 programs.