Budget cuts in 2010 forced former Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats to phase out the jail substance abuse program. However, current Sherriff Bob Gualtieri recently announced that he was reinstituting a similar program for the benefit of housed inmates.
Jail based substance abuse treatment programs currently exist in roughly 40% of state and federal correctional facilities. It is estimated that approximately 70 to 85% of inmates are in need of substance abuse treatment. It is also believed that 16% of inmates who are not incarcerated for drug charges, nevertheless committed their offense to obtain money for drugs.
Prior drug use among the jail population is considered common place. But, the nature of the inmates’ addictions has changed. Whereas for a time, cocaine was the drug of choice, today, Florida prescription drug addiction is the biggest challenge.
How the New Jail treatment Program May Affect Sentencing
Local Judges can often be convinced that residential treatment in a private facility is preferable to incarceration in the local Pinellas County Jail See: Alternatives to Serving Jail Time. This is particularly true if the offense was alcohol or substance abuse related. Judges want nothing more than to avoid the “revolving door” syndrome of a defendant returning to the criminal justice system. Thus, addressing the underlying cause for arrest would make the most sense in avoiding recidivism. There is also the financial factor. Housing an inmate in the local jail is an expensive proposition and a burden on the taxpayers. Not, to mention when it comes time for release from incarceration, we are sending the individual back into society with the same addiction he entered the criminal justice system with.
Some Pinellas County judges may view the newly revived jail based treatment program as a method for “killing two birds with one stone.” In other words, punishment is handed out through incarceration in the jail, but rehabilitative goals are accomplished by requiring the defendant’s participation in the jail’s drug treatment program. Unless the case is assigned to the special Pinellas County Drug Court division, the prosecutor has little to no interest in recommending treatment over incarceration. For that reason, Pinellas judges may see the opportunity for jail based treatment as a “middle ground” sentence which arguably could satisfy the state’s desire for penal consequences while at the same time, responding to the defense attorney’s argument that treatment is what is truly needed. Other judges may claim that they intended to impose an extended county jail sentence, but scaled back the length of the sentence to the defendant’s benefit by requiring him to complete a jail based substance abuse program.
The fact of the matter is that a jail sentence is a jail sentence whether it includes a treatment component or not. Our office views this “middle ground” or hybrid type of compromise as nothing more than an excuse to confine non violent offenders in an environment that is not conducive to achieving the desired goal of breaking the cycle of addiction and recidivism.
Jail Based Treatment vs. Private Residential Treatment Centers
The new Pinellas County jail drug program appears to be a “patchwork” of treatment. Operation PAR is providing clinical care internally at the jail facility. Upon release from incarceration, PERC (Pinellas Ex-Offender Re-Entry Coalition) helps with “transitional housing,” and then out-patient treatment is handed off to WestCare of Florida. This scheme is obviously focused on cost effectiveness and not continuity of quality treatment.
Compare jail based treatment with a private treatment facility where:
- You receive individualized treatment and counseling tailored to your particular needs and designed to be the most effective;
- Your counselors belong to the same support network and can effectively communicate with one another, drawing upon a unified pool of resources;
- Your recovery takes place in a caring residential treatment setting, rather than an environment with armed correctional officers, steel bars on the doors and windows, and barbed wire fences; and
- Your experience, from detox through aftercare is managed by the same professional staff.
What’s the bottom line?
Pinellas County’s Drug Court and private residential addiction providers, provide a superior path to success.
Arrested for a Drug Related Charge? Scheduled for Drug Court?
We can help!
Free consultation: (727) 578-0303
Visit our DUI website: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Visit our Criminal Defense website: www.defensehelp.com
Related Links:
Prison Drug Treatment Called Waste of Money
Investing in Jail-based Substance Abuse Treatment
Getting Help With Doctor Shopping Charges in Pinellas
Strategies & Options in Your Prescription Fraud Case
How to Avoid a Felony Conviction
Getting Your Pinellas County Criminal Records Sealed
Treatment, Not Jail, For Low Level Drug Crimes
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