West Central facility gets reprieve

West Central Pre-Release Center has been a part of the Pike County community for decades and the facility may not close as announced by the Department of Corrections in June. Instead, the facility will be used to treat female inmates who require court-appointed substance abuse treatment beginning sometime after the start of the new year.’They have to approve changes in our budget procedure,’ said warden Edd Sanders. ‘The governor has been pretty open about the fact that we need to find alternatives to people with drug problems other than sending them to prison. We are really going to be able to help some folks who have drug problems. We’re given the opportunity to help people reclaim their lives.’