ONSIDER TREATMENT, NOT JAIL, FOR NON-VIOLENT, ADDICTED CRIMINALS

State Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, has an idea about dealing with
drug and alcohol offenders that is worth special attention statewide.

Roessler, who represents Fond du Lac and a large portion of Fond du
Lac County in the 18th Senate District, has introduced a bill that
would send Wisconsin's non-violent drug and alcohol offenders into
community treatment programs instead of county jails and state prisons.

At the heart of her idea is the need for treatment rather than jail
time. There is no doubt, we believe, that drug and alcohol abuse is
responsible for many of the problems and crimes in our society. The
cost of treatment vs. the cost of jail time also ranks as a major factor.

If there were a way to deal with root causes, perhaps there is a way
to prevent recurring problems and crimes perpetrated over and over
again by the same offenders.

In addition to drug and alcohol offenders, there are concerns about
state residents who suffer the effects of mental illness. Often, their
problems are manifested in behaviors that result in jail time. They
also need consideration when it comes to potential treatment programs,
rather than jail time.

Roessler is convinced that her bill, known as the Substance Abuse
Offenders Accountability and Public Safety Act, would reduce the
number of in-state jail cells and cut the number of Wisconsin inmates
who are shipped out of state.

Roessler says her proposal would cost about $8,000 to $9,000 per
inmate, compared to the $15,000-a-year cost that taxpayers pay for
each inmate housed out of state.

Roessler also pointed out that the inmate population in Wisconsin has
surged since 1998 to more than 20,000.

Her proposal apparently will have no impact on plans to build a $10
million expansion to the Fond du Lac County Jail. The bill could not
become law in time to have an impact on local jail plans, said Fond du
Lac County Jail Administrator Mark Strand.

However, we see the possibility that additional space in the Fond du
Lac County Jail, coupled with a decline in jail time for non-violent
drug and alcohol offenders, could result in revenue for Fond du Lac
County if offenders are shipped here rather than out of state.

When Fond du Lac County added to its jail space several years ago, the
state and other counties sent prisoners here because there was a
surplus of jail space. The revenue was substantial.

Jails, historically, have been as integral to communities as churches.
It's a fact of life.

We believe that, even though jails and prisons are absolutely
necessary, there may be answers other than jail time in many cases.
The idea of treatment programs makes sense.

In the long run, treatment may be much more cost effective in monetary
and human terms than jail.