WINNEBAGO DRUG COURT IS STATE MODEL

In a county-by-county level, Wisconsin is starting to "think outside
the jail cell" with evidence of success.

We can be proud to say Winnebago County is among the leaders in the
innovations.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson told Northwestern
editorial board members last week that she has been citing Winnebago
County's Safe Streets Drug Court - a year-old restorative program
for nonviolent drug felons who avoid costly prison time by staying
clean and complying with treatment - as a model for other county's
to emulate. She is "using it across the state," Abrahamson said.

The Winnebago County court, developed, overseen and promoted here by
Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt, graduated its first two
participants last week. More than 20 other people are progressing
through the program, one of 12 such pilot programs around Wisconsin.

Drug courts like Winnebago's are just the tip of the iceberg. As
Abrahamson stresses, Wisconsin won't let people who are a danger to
the public participate in these alternative programs. Incarceration
is, in many cases, necessary.

That said, she believes - as we do - Wisconsin counties and state
justice officials should continuing pushing for alternative programs
that spare taxpayers the costly burden of prison construction and
unproductive jail time.

The real problem with repeat drug and alcohol offenders is the grip of
these chemicals have on addicts. Throwing polluted felons behind bars
doesn't attack recidivism or the root problem -- the chemical
addiction. In effect, forcing drug court participants to confront
addiction and work with professionals to rip themselves from the
control of cocaine or alcoholism is appropriate penalty. They face
random testing. They face a judge who understands that the hurdle that
is recovery isn't easy to get over. It's work. It rights and rebuilds
human beings.

Abrahamson budgeted money in the state's biennial budget proposal for
a new state coordinator of alternative justice programs. It deserves
support. It's a job that, with continued success in these programs,
can pay for itself in every hour of county jail or state prison time
not required.

Meanwhile, the state continues to keep the search for new alternatives
going. Abrahamson said Wisconsin is actively involved in the national
dialogue about alternatives to incarceration, seeking and sharing
"evidence-based practices" that show what works and what doesn't.
"We're moving on a whole variety of fronts on this," she said.

It's good to hear Wisconsin's counties - the close-to-home reminders
of jails and courts - are keeping open minds.

"I think there is a distinct recognition by people - but not
everybody - that we all in government need to find new and better
ways of doing things," Abrahamson said last week.

Final Thought: Be proud of Winnebago County for
the statewide alternatives-to-incarceration and
restorative justice model its Safe Streets Drug
Court has become. Public safety is the first and
foremost consideration. But Wisconsin should keep
searching for more effective ways of dealing with criminals.