Inmates at the Rockwall County Detention Center can voluntarily enroll in a 10-week substance use treatment program, according to a Rockwall County Herald-Banner report published Aug. 9. It is the first program of its kind at the county jail.
Rockwall County has partnered with R.E.C. Treatment Center, a local nonprofit serving justice-involved adults, to bring clinical counseling, relapse-prevention education and reentry planning inside the facility. The Rockwall County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the pilot on June 9.
Michael Meireles, founder and clinical director of R.E.C. Treatment Center, said the program targets the cycle that brings people back through the jail's doors.
"Rather than addressing addiction only after another crisis occurs, Rockwall County is creating an opportunity for individuals to begin making meaningful changes while they are already in a structured environment," Meireles told the Herald-Banner.
The program offers participants clinical assessments, individualized treatment plans, cognitive and behavioral interventions, relapse-prevention classes and discharge planning. Enrollment is voluntary.
Meireles, a licensed clinical social worker and licensed chemical dependency counselor, founded R.E.C. Treatment Center to provide substance use treatment and educational services specifically for adults involved in the criminal justice system. His team includes director of operations Alina Martin and counselor intern Marlo Milligan.
Detention center context
The facility, which operates under Rockwall County Sheriff Terry Garrett, housed an average of 246 inmates daily in June 2026, according to county statistics. That month, 343 people were booked and 348 released, with an average stay of 70 days. Of those held, 117 were charged with felonies and 215 with misdemeanors.
The 10-week program fits within that average confinement window, giving participants time to complete the curriculum before release.
R.E.C. Treatment Center said the program aims to improve post-release stability, strengthen family relationships, support employment and recovery efforts and reduce the likelihood of future substance use and repeat criminal justice involvement.
What's next
No enrollment figures or capacity limits have been publicly disclosed. The county has not announced how many inmates have signed up for the pilot or when the first cohort began sessions. R.E.C. Treatment Center is fundraising to cover treatment materials, educational resources and program supplies.
No statement from Sheriff Garrett or a county commissioner was available in published reports. Residents with questions can reach the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office at 972-204-7001.
