Prince William County Adult Recovery Court

About the Program

The Prince William County Adult Recovery Court helps residents struggling with substance use disorders take steps toward long-term recovery while holding them accountable for their actions. This voluntary program combines treatment and supervision with the goal of reducing repeat offenses and supporting participants in becoming healthy, contributing members of the community.

The program began in July 2022 and is one of two specialty courts in the county (the other is the Veterans Treatment Court). These “problem-solving courts” focus on providing structured support for justice-involved residents through a collaborative, team-based approach.

How It Works

Participants enter the program after pleading guilty to certain felony charges. While they are actively engaged in Recovery Court, sentencing is put on hold. If they complete the program successfully, their charges may be reduced or dismissed.

The program has five phases. Participants work toward:

• Achieving and maintaining sobriety
• Finding and keeping stable housing and employment
• Building healthier ways of thinking
• Restoring relationships and making amends
• Engaging in positive, community-building activities

Who Can Participate

To qualify, participants must:

• Live in Prince William County, Manassas, or Manassas Park
• Have a diagnosed substance use disorder
• Be assessed as “high risk/high need” by Recovery Court staff
• Have been charged with a felony (non-violent)
• Have no gang affiliation
• Have no violent felony or weapons convictions in the past 10 years

Why the Program Matters

Virginia Adult Recovery Courts work to improve public safety, supports residents in recovery, and creates significant savings compared to incarceration. By focusing on treatment and accountability, it helps participants build lasting change while reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.

How to Make a Referral

Referrals must come from defense attorneys, police, probation officers, mental health or substance use professionals, jail officials, or the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

The Adult Recovery Court Coordinator works with team members to review each case and determine eligibility. To start the process, the potential participant and one of the designated referrers above can fill out the referral form and submit it to the email provided ARC Referral Form

The Adult Recovery Court Team

The program brings together a wide range of partners, including:

• 31st Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia
• Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
• Office of the Public Defender
• Prince William Community Services Board
• Virginia Department of Corrections, District 35 Probation & Parole
• Office of Criminal Justice Services
• Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Center
• Prince William County Police Department

Services Available

Depending on the participants’ individual needs, the participant will receive support from mental health/substance use providers, probation officer and a case manager. Additionally, they may also receive Peer Services. Treatment services may include group and individual therapy, and may include a variety of interventions like Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT), Intensive Outpatient Program ( IOP), partial hospitalization, or residential care to meet their substance use disorder needs. The level of care is based on the participants’ individual needs and is aimed to addresses mental health as well as substance use needs. Within the Recovery Court, each participant is assigned a Case Manager and receives case management services as well as a Probation Officer to address public safety, court order compliance and criminogenic needs.

Expectations

• The Recovery Court Program consists of five phases. Each phase has expectations for curfew, recovery, and treatment participation.
• Average length of program is 12-18 months
• All participants receive frequent, random drug screens
• All participants must pay a program fee of $50 that can be paid throughout the program
• All participants will be supervised by VA Department of Corrections - District 35 Probation Officer
• For more information – Adult Recovery Court Brochure and the Participant Handbook

Adult Recovery Court Testimonials

• 2025 Graduate LM: “I’m not aiming for perfect. Every day I find something to live for, find sobriety, and live my life with integrity.”
• 2024 Graduate JO: “When I got in this program ... it was the best thing that happened to me,”
• Honorable Judge Robert Coleman: “Our goal is to foster an environment conducive to promoting the ideal of living life to the fullest, one day at a time.”  
• 2024 Peer Support Specialist LB: “Although it was the most difficult thing I have ever encountered, it was the most rewarding. I have a life that is beyond my wildest dreams today,”

Participant Confidentiality

• Joining this program requires you to sign a release of information form which allows for the treatment team to share clinical progress, drug testing results and program compliance to the judges, prosecutors, and caseworkers.
• Medical and Substance abuse records are protected by state and federal laws (HIPPA and 42 CFR Part 2)

 

Additional Resources

• Prince William County Veterans Docket
• Prince William County Criminal Justice Department
• Prince William County Community Services
• Virginia Dept. of Corrections Probation and Parole

Questions?

 Please contact the Adult Recovery Court staff by emailing to [email protected]