GRANT IS FOR INMATES WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

Iberia Parish jail inmates with histories of drug problems will be better
prepared to avoid relapses when they are released, thanks to a grant from
the U.S. Department of Justice.

District Judge Gerard Wattigny has received $299,192 to establish a drug
court program specially designed for jailed inmates who have six months
left on their sentences. The "Re-entry Section," as it is known, is
comprised of offenders who have histories of substance abuse and are deemed
likely to return to drugs upon their release from prison. "We have our
regular outpatient drug court for when they get out of jail, but sometimes
they have trouble with the transition," Wattigny said. "We're trying to get
them a head-start before they actually get out."

Richard Berzas, program leader for the Re-entry Program, said the
instruction phase was implemented three months ago. Wattigny said the
program has grown from two to 13 participants since then.

"We didn't want it to grow too fast without having the grant to fully fund
it," Wattigny said. "Now we'll be able to pick up a few more people and
hire more counselors and case managers - that's what the grant money is
going to go for."

The Re-entry Section promotes sobriety through an intensive in-prison
treatment program, Wattigny said. Treatment is delivered via group therapy,
educational lecture and individual therapy, with substance abuse counseling
offered as well.

Wattigny said the initial jail treatment is based on the "TruThought"
model, which employs the corrective thinking process. Berzas said inmates
identify their problems during the first phase of the program, while the
second phase involves reforming their ideas about drug abuse.

Upon release from jail, participants will transfer to the Adult Drug Court
outpatient program, Wattigny said. The participants will be actively
monitored to ensure that they lead law-abiding lives and remain drug-free.

This third phase of the program, which no one has reached because the
program is less than six months old, will address the most common causes of
recidivism - lack of necessary supervision, job preparation and placement,
and appropriate housing, Wattigny said.

All funds provided by the grant will be spent on treatment and case
management, Wattigny said. No funds can be expended for the additional work
by judges, attorneys, jail employees, clerks of court or parole officers.

The Iberia Parish Adult Drug Court has treated more than 500 people since
it opened its doors five years ago. Wattigny said he's received several
inquiries from inmates since news of the re-entry program has spread
through the jail.

"I get so much mail I can't read it all," he joked. "But it's something
that they see is going to help them.

"Even though most people attribute a bad attitude to people who have been
convicted of crimes, most of them want to change their situation and make
it better. They want to get into a program to get the help they need."