DRUG COURTS RECOMMENDED

Oklahoma could significantly reduce the number of women sent to prison
by pumping money into drug courts, according to a report submitted
Tuesday to a special task force.

Policy analysts at the Criminal Justice Resource Center found adult
female arrest rates increased by 115 percent from 1990 through 2001.
Drug offenders sent to prison are likely to return to prison without
treatment, said K.C. Moon, director of the Resource Center.

"Other states are rethinking their drug policy," Moon said. "You can
reduce recidivism in half by using drug courts."

Analysts say the state could reduce prison system expenses by
increasing money for drug court, which operates in 24 counties. The
center says the cost of sending a woman to prison is nearly $20,000 a
year; drug courts cost $2,000 to $5,000 per offender.