What Programs and Services Are Available to Inmates at Alexandria Adult Detention Center

Alexandria Adult Detention Center offers foundational education that can make a real difference - both during incarceration and after release. GED preparation is one of the core offerings, helping inmates work toward a high-school equivalency credential. ESL (English as a Second Language) classes are available too. For inmates still building confidence with English, these classes support better communication, continued education, and stronger job readiness down the road.

The facility also offers training tracks leading to nationally recognized certifications - credentials that are easier to explain to employers and travel with someone after release. Certifications listed include food service, traffic flagging, and general industry and construction safety. If you're helping a loved one plan for work after release, ask which certifications are currently running and what's required to enroll.

For men at the detention center, there's an education and life-skills program. Life-skills programming typically covers the practical "day one back home" basics - habits and decision-making that help with stability after release. The facility doesn't publish the full curriculum, so contact the Inmate Programs office for current topics and enrollment details.

Women have a dedicated option called LEAD - an education and life-skills program specifically for women. If your loved one is asking what's available, LEAD is the name to remember when you reach out. Start dates, eligibility, and session frequency can change, so confirm what's currently offered before making plans around it.

If sobriety support is a priority, the facility offers Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. These give inmates a structured space to focus on recovery and build a support-oriented routine. Encourage your loved one to ask staff how to get on the meeting list and what the current schedule looks like.

The facility also has Sober Living Units - therapeutic community housing programs that go beyond standalone meetings. These units are designed to help inmates become free from chemical dependence. Ready for Change is a preparatory program for Sober Living. If your loved one wants to move into a Sober Living Unit, asking about Ready for Change is a practical first step. The program contact can explain what comes first and what participation looks like.

Reentry planning isn't just about release day - it's about lining up realistic next steps. Inmate Services staff coordinates Inmate Resource Fairs where inmates meet with exhibitors offering legal, employment, health, educational, training, housing, and other services. If your loved one is worried about "What happens after I get out?", resource fairs are one of the most direct ways to learn what help exists and how to connect with it.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office also runs the Alexandria Reentry Council, which includes workshops for families, area businesses, and other community members supporting returning citizens. If you're helping someone transition home, these workshops can help you understand common barriers and what local support systems exist.

The facility also hosts guest speaker programs with motivational messages. If your loved one is interested, ask the program contact what sessions are scheduled and whether sign-up is required.