The Christian County Jail has undergone significant changes in recent months and years.  Many of these changes are aesthetic ones, with renovations to increase safety and security and improve the overall quality of the buildings.  Others involve introducing programs to help inmates recover from drug addiction and other personal challenges. 

Cecil Polley, the jail administrator for the Christian County Sheriff's Office, has overseen these alterations.  He calls some of the improvements "life-saving."

The Christian County Jail has also begun the Medically Assisted Recovery (MAR) Now program.  The Sheriff's Office received federal funding which has allowed for this move.  The jail collaborates with Family Guidance, a Springfield-based drug treatment center.  Polley says this allows inmates to access care and necessary prescription drugs more easily. 

Polley contrasts his agency's work with that of Safe Passage.  He says the ("Mar") MAR Now program works with those already serving time in jail, whereas Safe Passage aims to keep their visitors out of jail.

The jail has assisted 65 people through the MAR Now program.  Most, but not all, were in the jail at that point. 

The Christian County Jail also welcomes local recovery groups in to host sessions with inmates who can benefit from their work. 

More information on the Christian County Sheriff's Office is available at www.christiancountysheriff.com.

Cecil Polley appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.