BILL WOULD BOOST TREATMENT PROGRAMS

The state could pay counties to treat nonviolent criminal offenders
with drug and alcohol problems as an alternative to prison terms, a
bill to be introduced this week proposed.

About one in seven people sentenced to state prisons has some problem
with drugs or alcohol, corrections officials say. Many face long
waiting lists for prison treatment programs and are often released
before they can be enrolled.

That means offenders are often released "uncorrected" to prey on more
victims, said Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, who co-authored the bill
with Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay.

The bill will provide grants for counties to set up treatment programs
or contract with religious groups for such efforts.