OFFICIALS, ALLIES SEEK PRISON-TIME OPTIONS

The state prison chief, judges and crime-victim advocates said Tuesday
that the courts offer too few alternative sentencing options, and
that’s contributing to escalating prison populations and even more
crime.

It’s time to spend more money on such things as drug courts for
first-time offenders and programs to help inmates re-entering society,
they said.

Otherwise, the state’s adult prison population will grow by 9,000
inmates within four years to more than 46,000, budget analysts said.

And costs will rise dramatically from the current $400 million a year
taxpayers spend to cover housing and other costs related to the inmates.

"It’s like a runaway fire," Sen. Chris Ullo, D-Marrero, told two
Senate committees meeting jointly to discuss the rising costs of
imprisonment.

State Sen. Paulette Irons, D-New Orleans, said the state doesn’t spend
much money to help juveniles stay off drugs and otherwise rehabilitate
themselves.

"It’s almost like we intend to keep this population the way it is,"
she said. "We are setting it up so we have recruits for the big prison."

Corrections Secretary Richard Stalder compared the situation to
spending $50,000 now to fix a leak in a roof instead of spending $1
million after the leak has grown and caused more damage.

Since drugs are the major cause of crime filling prisons, that’s an
area ripe for diversionary programs such as drug courts, 5th District
Court of Appeal Judge Marion Edwards.

Drug courts work well in many areas of the state, he
said.

Sandy Krasnoff of Victims and Citizens Against Crime, and Cathy
Childers of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, said the groups see a need
for substance-abuse treatment alternatives.

Krasnoff said such programs need to be tailor-made for non-violent
offenders and prior records checked carefully.

In Jefferson Parish, 80 percent or more of offenders who have
participated in drug-court programs have stayed out of trouble,
Edwards said.

24th Judicial District Judge Fredericka Wicker said a drug court
allows the judge to sentence an individual to stay out of jail if they
meet certain requirements.

Among the requirements are drug treatment, several urine tests a week
to insure they are drug free, and engaging in education, job-training
or work activities. The offender reports to court once a week for an
assessment of how well they are doing, she said.

Wicker said the court supervision works better than putting the
individual under supervision by probation and parole officers because
it is more intense and the judge has the power to revoke probation.

It is also less costly, said Wicker, with individual costs running no
more than $3,500.

Caring for a prisoner at a state facility costs $13,500 a
year.

"This is a way to save money in the long and short-run for non-violent
offenders," said Wicker.

15th Judicial District Court Judge Jules Edwards said the drug court
concept could be extended to allow early release of certain inmates,
who would then be under court monitoring to help them stay off drugs
as they adjust to the free world.

"You can go through your time in the Department of Corrections without
drug treatment and come back out and still be a drug addict," said
Edwards.

Stalder said his department is seeking a federal grant to establish a
500-bed "therapeutic community" in prison to help inmates prepare for
re-entry into society so they don’t come back.

Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Judge Mark Doherty said juveniles also
are falling through the cracks when it comes to programs aimed at
diverting people from lives of crime.

Doherty said the young offenders are not getting an education or drug
and mental health treatment for psychiatric and psychological problems.

Left untreated, they continue lives of crimes as adults, Doherty
said.

Doherty said electronic monitoring devices could be successful as an
alternative to juvenile prison for some youthful offenders, but he has
no money for such programs.