DRUG COURT PROGRAM HITS SNAGS

Alternative To Jail Time Sees Some Early Failures

Six months ago, the first three inmates to enter Hinds County's new drug
court diversion program began treatment.

It didn't work for any of them.

One relapsed into drug use, one had his sentence revoked and was sent to
prison, and the third is a fugitive from justice.

He fled the program and possibly the state; a warrant has been issued for
his arrest.

Program director Brenda Mathis said at least two others in the program have
had drug relapses. The drug court, which started taking cases in March, has
13 participants.

"We had one female to call the probation office to say come and get her
because she had relapsed," Mathis said.

Mathis, however, says she's confident the program will be successful with
two inmates close to completing the program.

"It will be great to see one of them complete the program," Mathis said.
"If we can get one person off drugs, it will save taxpayers the $24,000 it
takes to incarcerate an individual for a year."

When Circuit Judge L. Breland Hilburn sends inmates into the program, he
warns them he's giving them a second chance instead of prison. He tells
inmates it's left up to them to make it successful.

Hilburn couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

Mathis said the call made by treatment program participant Latanya Johnson
helped keep her in the program.

Instead of ordering jail time, Hilburn decided to give her another chance.

Johnson, reached at a treatment center, wouldn't comment.

Benjamin Hennington faced a maximum of eight years in prison for possession
of crack cocaine when he was sent to the program in March.

However, Hennington violated terms of his probation when he was caught with
drugs. He is serving a two-year jail term.

A warrant was issued in July for Kelvin Gibbons, who fled the program.

The drug court diversion program is mostly for first-time, nonviolent
offenders. The program seeks treatment over incarceration for those with a
drug problem.

"We are kind of taking it slow," said state Department of Corrections
probation officer Ted Rogers, who helps monitor the inmates in the drug
program.

Individuals sent to the program go to drug treatment for up to four months
and then must attend an after-care program administered through the drug court.

Rogers is responsible for overseeing the program's twice-weekly drug
screenings.

The district attorney's office, in consultation with the defendant's
attorney and Mathis, makes recommendations to Hilburn on those eligible for
the program.

Hilburn has the final decision.

State Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, spearheaded the effort to get the drug
court in Hinds County. The special court targets felony drug cases for
offenders ages 17 and older.

Hilburn plans to begin operating the program as a separate entity. He has
been operating the program in conjunction with regular court for hard-core
drug offenders.

The first such drug court in the state was established by Circuit Judge
Keith Starrett in Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties.

Earlier this year, Starrett held a graduation ceremony for eight
individuals who successfully completed the program.

The next graduation is Monday morning in Brookhaven where four individuals
are scheduled to graduate.

The program has about 80 participants, said Joy Jordan, program coordinator.

Jordan said that only two individuals have been considered as failing the
program since it started last year.

They were sent to prison.

"We would be willing to help Hinds County in anyway we can," Jordan said.

Jordan said the drug program for the south Mississippi counties doesn't
consider a drug relapse as a failure.

She said the program normally gives a second chance to those who have had a
drug relapse.