On Thursday, April 16, 2026, WLNS reported that Judge Donald Allen is retiring from the Sobriety Court Program after nearly two decades of service, during which he helped change the lives of individuals affected by addiction. Allen gave his final farewells to his colleagues after 18 years with the program.
When asked about his plans for retirement, Allen stated he intends to do “as little as possible.”
Over 800 graduates of the Sobriety Court Program have turned their lives around. Allen noted the program has positively impacted young mothers, stating, “There have been a few young ladies that have had babies while they were engaged in our program, that they got their lives together…They got sober, and they became healthier, and then they had babies, and their babies are all healthy, and it’s the next generation.”
Angel Wright, a graduate of the program, said that while the program was challenging, it helped shape her into who she is today. Wright expressed gratitude, stating, “Judge Allen and his team helped me heal and helped me heal my kids, and I have a wonderful life. A wonderful career, and it started in that courtroom.”
Allen hopes that his successor will have as much love for the program as he does. Allen stated, “Even though I had a lot to do with the success of the program, the program’s bigger than me.”
According to Allen, his coworkers did not believe him when he initially announced his retirement. Although he has a few more years left in his term, he is pleased that his work will be taken over by a new judge.
Source: WLNS
