Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $598,000 grant to the Alabama Department of Corrections to help prisoners overcome drug addictions that may have contributed to their incarceration.

The funds will support Residential Substance Abuse Treatment programs at eight Alabama prisons, a news release said. The programs feature a six-month intensive treatment plan followed by at least 12 months of group sessions aimed at promoting long-term behavioral change.

“Inmates who have overcome their drug dependency are much less likely to commit additional crimes upon release,” Ivey said in the release. “These programs can help inmates take the steps needed to turn their lives around and make our communities safer.”

The grant is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Substance abuse treatment programs benefit both the incarcerated individuals themselves and the communities they will return to when they are released,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I am pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of this program to help prisoners become drug-free.”

ADECA oversees programs that support law enforcement, victim services, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation. More information is available at www.adeca.alabama.gov.