COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — A program in Cocke County is helping women break addiction while in jail. It centers on early intervention and lowering the chances for an inmate to return.
The Tennessee Women's Second Chance Program works one-on-one with women inmates who are serving time at the Cocke County Jail.
The program allows women to have a reset in their lives after years of addiction.
"This is our second chance, we get a chance to start over," said Samantha Lowery, an inmate.
"It just gave me a second chance to do better," said Morgan Cody, another inmate.
The 90-day program teaches women daily structures in their lives. The seven women in the program are on a consistent schedule.
According to the director, the group attends classes like bible study, counseling and anger management. It equips them with important skills for life on the other side.
"I definitely want to get a job and get custody of my son again, and have a family life," said Sarah Sturm, an inmate and mother.
"DCS actually took my kids and I'm just excited to get them back, have a structured life for them and myself," said Holly Sutton, another inmate and mother.
The group is made up of women 21 to 53 years old from different backgrounds who are all on a journey to freedom.
"We're trying to put one foot in front of the other and we do that together," Shawna Fullington said, "It's really our last chance in addiction, we have to look at it that way."
The group consists of women whose journeys in addiction led them to create a sisterhood of sobriety.
"We've been through the same things like abuse and addiction," said Courtney Phillips.
Cocke County Sheriff CJ Ball said early intervention in the jail prevents inmates from returning. He said most women are in the county's jail from addiction.
"Today, you're looking at housing anywhere between 30 to 50 women compared to that small number you had 24 years ago," he said.
According to the sheriff's office, the three tops drugs the county deals with are heroin, meth and fentanyl
"80% of our incarcerated inmates right now stem from that addiction," said Ball.
He said it gives inmates another opportunity of life before it's too late
"There are several individuals, that's not got the second chance, they overdosed," he said.