Pot times

North'd Court Officials Impressed After Visiting

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1057/a12.html
Newshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jul 2005
Source: News-Item, The (PA)
Copyright: 2005 The News Item
Contact: jake_b@newsitem.com
Website: http://www.newsitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3556
Author: Kimberly Long, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

           

                                                                                                                                                                       

earlier this month, Sacavage told the commissioners that the county's application appears to be favorable.

The $230,000 grant, which is renewable each year, would pay for the entire cost of the program, except for the salary, estimated at $30,000, and benefits of a new probation officer.  That figure is based on a probation officer intern's salary.

Savings to the county if a drug court is implemented have been estimated at $162,000.

The goals of drug court are to reduce prison overcrowding, reduce recidivism, rely heavily on a combination of treatment and intense court supervision, rely on existing personnel within the court, district attorney's office and public defender's office, improve public safety and utilize general fund money more efficiently.

Yasenchak said Lycoming County has had a drug court that meets every Wednesday for eight years, and the numbers show it is making a difference.

"Of all the people they admit into drug court, roughly 60 percent graduate," she said.  "Roughly 17 percent who graduate start using drugs again."

Those numbers are encouraging, even if there are a handful of offenders who return to old habits, Yasenchak said.

Graduates Speak

During Wednesday's graduation, two offenders completed the program.  The two stood up and thanked their parents, the judge and those involved with the drug court.  One of the offenders even told a probation officer in charge of the program that he loved him.  Yasenchak said she was moved, because it's rare when Northumberland County court officials see such happy endings.

Past graduates are also invited to attend the graduation ceremonies to speak and give support to other members.  Yasenchak described the experience as an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and a drug court combined.

Potteiger said the experience was a good example of what his job is supposed to be.

"In sitting there looking at the probation and parole's view, it was a very positive experience," Potteiger said.  "To me, that's what it's all about.  That's one of my jobs and responsibilities -- the rehabilitation of offenders."

Potteiger also commented about some of the numbers associated with the court, particularly the financial savings and the recidivism rate of only 12 percent.  Because that rate is so low, Potteiger said drug court would provide a more effective transition for offenders going from being supervised to a home setting.

Hefty Savings

In looking at savings, Potteiger said Lycoming County saves approximately $36,000 a year for each offender in drug court.  By incarcerating these offenders, Potteiger said Lycoming is saving about $250,000 a year.

"The drug court is the most effective tool in dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders with a serious addiction problem, because it provides structure," he said.

Potteiger explained that counties with drug courts all have the same model, but each modifies the program to uniquely fit its needs.

Pre-Release Center

After the group left the drug court, they next visited Lycoming's pre-release center.  And although it is structured slightly differently than what Northumberland officials are hoping for, they said it was a worthwhile experience to visit.

Potteiger said the county currently has an opportunity to get an operational drug court at the same time a pre-release center is being developed and implemented.  The drug court would be one component of the pre-release center.

In recent weeks, Sacavage approached the commissioners about the possibility of applying for a low-interest loan through the U.S.  Department of Agriculture ( USDA ).

The USDA provides a 4.5 percent loan over a 40-year period to applicants who cannot obtain conventional bank financing, which Sacavage said would probably be the county's easiest criterion to meet based on current financial issues.

The center would house approximately 75, maybe more, low-risk county inmates who will be required to maintain a job and pay rent while residing at the facility.  Inmates there also will have to buy and prepare their own food.

The USDA can provide a loan which would include site acquisition, infrastructure, construction, professional fees and the cost of equipment.

Under that program, the county would not be required to make a down payment, and no repayment until the operation is under way.

Estimated cost for the construction of a pre-release center is $2 million, based on figures from neighboring counties that have already implemented a pre-release center.

The deadline to apply for the loan is July 1.

Court officials believe three sources of funding could pay for the pre-release center, including Act 35 supervision fees, the prisoners themselves and vending opportunities.

A pre-release center would be a secure facility providing 24-hour supervision to low-risk inmates.  In addition to pre-release inmates, the county's entire work-release program would be operated out of the new facility, which would be managed under the adult probation office.

Transition Aid

The idea is that the center will provide a smoother transition for inmates who will soon re-enter the community.

A holding cell would also be located in the center.  Large enough to hold four to five prisoners, it would be utilized by police and magisterial district judges for overnight holding purposes and on weekends.