PRISONS PUSH EXPANSION OF DRUG PROGRAMS

STOCKTON -- The Department of Corrections is disputing projections it will
need 9,000 to 11,000 fewer beds because of a voter initiative that bars
many drug users from prison.

Prison officials say those estimates are overblown by half, and that cost
savings to taxpayers are overestimated as well.

They say they must expand their drug treatment programs despite voters'
approval of Proposition 36 last month. Once the initiative takes effect
July 1, it will require that those convicted of using or possessing drugs
for the first or second time be sent to community treatment programs.

``There won't be a precipitous drop in the number of inmates as soon as
this goes into effect, but there will be a decline as more inmates are
released and more inmates are diverted to drug treatment,'' said department
spokesman Russ Heimerich.

The department estimates that the initiative will lead to a need for about
6,270 fewer beds in five years. That compares to projections by the
non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office that the proposition will free up
at least 9,000 beds -- the equivalent of two to three prisons.

The legislative analyst predicted that will save taxpayers $200 million to
$250 million annually in operating costs, plus one-time savings of $450
million to $550 million because the state won't have to build new prisons
as rapidly.

Department officials said the savings will be less, mainly because many
drug users already go to less costly dormitory-style prison camps or
community correctional centers, most run under contract with private firms.
It costs an average $23,000 to house an inmate in prison for a year.
However, a dormitory-style prison costs $15,000 to $17,000 annually.

However, Dan Carson, who wrote the legislative analyst's report, said
prison officials underestimate the benefits of treatment in keeping drug
users out of prison, as well as the number of repeat offenders who will
avoid extended sentences under the initiative.

``Basically, they assumed no effect at all from drug treatment programs,
which is kind of an awkward argument for the administration when they've
asked for hundreds of millions of dollars each year for treatment, on the
presumption treatment works,'' Carson said.

Three years ago, the department had just 400 drug treatment beds. It now
can provide drug treatment for 5,000 inmates at a time, and this year's
budget adds 3,000 more beds.

That's still far short of the need, said Ernest Jarman, the department's
assistant director for substance abuse programs.

The crimes committed by at least 70 percent of inmates have some connection
to drugs, such as a burglary to support a drug habit, Jarman estimated. He
projected at least 80 percent of inmates have a current or past drug problem.

The department faces a Dec. 31 deadline to present a plan to provide
treatment to every inmate who needs it by 2005. But then it's up to the
governor and Legislature whether to go ahead with the expansion.