IS PRISON TIME ENOUGH FOR DRUG ADDICTS?

Speaking Volumes

A man released on parole has been charged in an attack that left one woman
dead and a second critically injured.

James Christopher Riels was released from prison on April 7. Riels admitted
beating Mary Jane Cruchon to death with a claw hammer. He even killed
Cruchon's dog. His motive was robbery. He admitted to it all. Riels was
released from the Northwest Correctional Complex (Tiptonville) on April 7.
He served six years of a 12-year sentence for aggravated robbery. When his
father spoke to the media, he said he thought his son had been rehabilitated.

Riels' criminal record also includes a 1995 indictment for robbery and a
one year sentence for a 1996 check forgery charge. He is not new to the
criminal system.

If Riels had not been paroled he would have been released in 2007. He was
turned down on his first request in 1999 because he was considered "high
risk" and was ordered to complete a substance abuse program. He was again
refused parole in 2001.

Riels completed the substance abuse program and earned his GED.

After being released he returned to Memphis to live with his mother. Even
after six years in prison and complete a substance abuse program -- Riels
could not kick his addiction. So, what is the answer? Do prisons
rehabilitate? Apparently not.

The numbers for repeat offenders are alarming. Reils' family and friends
have stated that he never gave indications of violence.

What can we do? Should we continue to dump all criminals in jails and
prisons and hold them until the space runs out? Something is wrong with
this picture.

Maybe prison sentences are not the answer. A new study has found that true
rehabilitation works better than jail for addicts, dealers and repeat
offenders.

The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University's Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse. The study concluded that rehabilitation is
far more productive than jail time at reducing drug activity. The program
has proven successful in Brooklyn County, N.Y. It was established in 1990,
and includes treatment, counseling and job training. Researchers claim that
program participants are 67 percent less likely to return to prison than
those who do not complete the 24-month program.

I think a program like this is needed in Memphis and Shelby County. The CJC
boasts one of the largest inmate populations in Tennessee. The current
method is not working so it should be reconsidered and fixed.

We cannot continue to release violent offender on our streets to harm our
citizens. Something must be done. We need efficient programs that offer
counseling, education and job training.

It looks like Brooklyn County has the right idea. Jail time alone is not
the answer.