FORMER YOUTH JAIL SHIFTS FOCUS TO ADDICTION

The Steve Hoyle Rehabilitation Center in Tallulah is the latest example of
the shift in the direction of the state Department of Public Safety and
Corrections.

Dedicated this week, the former Swanson Youth Correctional Center is a
long-term treatment facility for offenders with substance-abuse issues. It
focuses particular attention on those with multiple DWI convictions.

"This new facility is a fairly unique concept in corrections, and one that
we think will lead to lower recidivism rates and increased savings for the
state," said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard
Stalder.

Substance-abuse programs can be found in other institutions around the
state, but SHRC differs in that it exclusively targets DWI offenders.

Assistant Warden Robert Rachal says that the institution is focusing on
these offenders because they offer the best treatment and relapse
prognosis. Because they are generally not violent, they make good
candidates for reintegration into the community.

The program consists of nine to 24 months of intensive, individualized
treatment based on the needs of each offender. The offender demonstrates
competency in four phases before moving on in treatment.

Inmates spend 20-25 hours each week working on issues such as the
psychological and educational components of addictive disorders, victim
awareness, relapse prevention and life-skills training.

The rest of their time is allocated for work or educational endeavors,
considered a component of the rehabilitation process.

Educational programs, including a G.E.D. preparation program, are available
to the inmates, and there are plans to integrate vocational training in the
future.

Dr. Susan Tucker, mental health director at SHRC, said the program's goals
are simple.

"We are working toward long-term recovery and successful reintegration into
the community," she said.

Participation is voluntary for the majority of the inmates. The Department
of Corrections reviewed the offender population in both state institutions
and local facilities who fit the profile and met program criteria. It then
offered those inmates the opportunity to participate. In the future,
inmates will also be able to reach the program via a number of other
routes, including risk-review panels and recommendation.

The treatment staff assesses each candidate and selects those who are most
likely to benefit from the services offered by the program. Participation
in the program will not impact sentence length.

Rachal said only minor changes were necessary to upgrade the facility to
handle adult offenders.

The largest and most noticeable was the addition of three guard towers, all
built by inmate labor.

An inmate crew worked during the transition period to clean the facility
and make the necessary changes. Inmate labor also contributes to
restorative justice projects in the surrounding community.

The center houses 245 inmates in three units. As participation in the
program increases, pre-existing dormitory-style housing will be used.

The center also serves as a training facility for correctional officers in
northeastern Louisiana. Officers must complete an intensive two-week
training session before they are allowed to assume duty at any state
correctional facility.

Part of the school building was converted for the training facility, and
prospective officers are housed in the similar dormitories that eventually
will be used for offenders.