The Ritter Recidivism Reduction Package
Governor Ritter released his Budget Amendment package today the link for the entire list of proposed budget amendments is here .
He also released a separate memo called governor Ritter's Recidivism Reduction and Offender Diversion package. Pursuant to the Colorado Promise, the goal is to invest in programs which protect public safety while allowing for diversion and successful transition from the Dept. of Corrections.
CCJRC has always advocated for funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment. It looks as though the Governor understands that making an investment may be the best way to help people from going to prison in the first place and perhaps stopping them from going back when they have a difficult time re-integrating.
Two things that are happening are that CUSP would be implemented, which creates a model that incorporates several agencies to provide real services to people and the STIRRT program
will be implemented statewide.
This program would target offenders on the verge of incarceration or re-incarceration; create individualized supervision and treatment options for offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The program would build community-based options for methamphetamine abuse supervision failure and would apply evidence-based or best practice supervision/treatment.
The STIRRT program incorporates a 2 week residential stay with an outpatient, after-care treatment component and is designed to reduced recidivism among adult offenders (18 and over) who have been unsuccessful in community treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and continue to commit offenses. STIRRT will be implemented in Ft. Collins, Rifle, Denver and Pueblo and from the looks of the program will be serving close to 1,000 people.Governor Ritter has asked for over 8 million dollars to start and looks for a return on his investment of 3.2 million dollars in 2007-2008 and over $11 million in out year savings.
Read the Recidivism Reduction and Offender Diversion package here
2 comments:
If Ritter and Zavaras really want to reduce recidivism then reestablishing the Alcoholics Anonymous program, as it was in the eighties, will achieve that goal. Mental health assessment and treatment does not sufficiently address an offender's alcohol and drug abuse history the way AA does. I prefer a recovered alcoholic or drug user on parole live in my community and continue to attend AA meetings as opposed to a parolee with a prescription for mental health medications in his pocket.
AA and other 12 step programs are established in almost every community in the country. The government is non-affiliated with these programs, that's part of how they work. STIIRT is a substitute for D.O.C.. It is for drug offenders who, without their drug problems, would most likely not find themselves in legal trouble. That's all it is. Can't be forced12 step programs, although I do agree those programs are the most proved methods of treatment.
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