GET IT STRAIGHT ON REHAB PROGRAM

Proposition 36 has largely succeeded in achieving its two primary
goals: providing a less-costly alternative to prison and serving
offenders who do not ordinarily receive treatment.

UCLA researchers found that the program saved $2,861 per offender in
its first year, leading to net savings for Californians of $173.3
million. The National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices Survey has
shown that fewer than 10% of prisoners nationwide receive the care
they need. With Proposition 36, 73% of those who were referred did get
treated, and half of these stayed in treatment for at least three
months. Because addiction is one of a knot of issues, it is best
addressed by pulling together service and faith-based providers,
families, communities and criminal justice experts.

Without the option of treatment, offenders have virtually no chance of
getting clean and returning successfully to society.

Laura Winterfield

Senior research associate

Christy Visher

Principal research associate

The Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center

Washington