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Suffolk Sheriff Unveils Inmate Fitness Program For Addiction Treatment

Local News

By Published: March 26 2024

LongIsland.com

Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment CrossFit program dedicated in memory James Pinka who died of an overdose.

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Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. was joined by the James Pinka Foundation, Laurie Pinka, CrossFit instructors, and inmates in the Sheriff’s Addiction treatment program on Saturday, March 23 at 11:30am to officially dedicate the Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment CrossFit program as 10-17 Fitness in honor of James Pinka, who passed away from an overdose in 2016.
 
Laurie Pinka created the foundation after her son’s tragic passing to help those struggling with addiction. The foundation has worked to introduce fitness to people currently incarcerated due to addiction to sustain sobriety and prevent recidivism.  
 
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s partnered with Laurie Pinka to pilot the CrossFit program in summer 2023 for inmates in the Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment Program. The Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment program is a specialized housing unit that offers tailored programming to help rehabilitate those with underlying substance use issues.
 
CrossFit has been a proven tool to help those struggling with addiction because of the structure and community it fosters.  The program, which is offered to both the male and female inmates in the addiction treatment unit, is an hour of CrossFit exercise once a week combined with lessons in nutrition and mindfulness to promote a true balance of mind, body, and spirit.