HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Oxford Houses of Reno County presented the Reno County Sheriff’s Department and the Reno County Correctional Facility with a crystal plaque thanking them for the many services the facility provides for those wanting to beat drug addiction.

The sheriff’s office relationship with the Oxford houses began shortly after the facility opened. Both entities realized that a lot of the offenders who suffered from addiction wanted to change their lives, but did not have a safe place to go after their release.

Many members of Oxford have come into the facility for the department’s quarterly presentation of people in recovery who have changed their lives. Some of the programs help with financial planning and managing debt. Other programs help with life skills and anger management or help participants obtain a GED.

Under the GED program, 20 inmates have graduated. The facility currently has nine programs in place to help inmates turn their lives around.