GOOD REHAB PROGRAMS KEY TO CUTTING CRIME, GROUP SAYS

One way to break the cycle of repeated criminal behavior is by finding
effective rehabilitative programs, but protecting the community should
remain paramount. Ten people, including two circuit judges, came to that
agreement during an informal meeting Tuesday at the Daviess County Public
Library.

"I think we had some agreement -- protect the community, but reduce
recidivism," said Betsy Morton Thomas, director of the local branch of the
Justice Resource Center.

Thomas convened the meeting to learn what rehab programs are now being
offered to state inmates housed in the Daviess County Detention Center and
whether there are unmet needs. Another goal is to provide a forum for
community involvement in justice issues.

"One missing component is education for the family of the inmate," said
Daviess County Jailer Harold Taylor. "Oftentimes the family members don't
know what the inmate has been through when he has been incarcerated."

Social readjustment to the family, increased financial burden and other
issues cause stress on the family when an inmate gets out, Taylor said.

"I'd like to see some kind of program developed to help families of inmates
with the transition when that inmate is released," Taylor said.

Judge Tom Castlen said vocational rehab and computer skills classes are
good if resources are available.

"When we incarcerate people, I believe we do so for four reasons: Public
protection, to punish, to rehabilitate, and to deter others," Castlen said.
"We have to balance competing interests when we commit people to custody."

Castlen said the jail's main responsibility is to keep people safe.

Both Castlen and Judge Mac Griffin said they try to utilize the least
restrictive level of incarceration depending upon the circumstances.

"The community as a whole needs to take ownership," Griffin said. "In a
relatively short period of time, they're (inmates) coming back, and if they
learn negative skills we can expect a negative impact. If they learn
positive skills, the community can benefit."

Taylor had statistics from the Kentucky Department of Corrections that show
that in 1998, 33 percent of those inmates released had returned within a year.

Both judges and Taylor said they are seeing more inmates who are in jail
because of drug use.

"Some don't have the mental capacity to get out and get jobs because of
extended use of dangerous drugs," Taylor said.

Castlen said he has utilized local halfway houses in drug court with good
results.

Griffin described a halfway house in Louisville, The Healing House, and
said he would like to see the group push for that.

"It's an excellent model for here, and it would give us another sentencing
alternative," Griffin said. "It's doable, achievable and would give people
some dignity. Usually they've been stripped of dignity long before we see
them."

Taylor said there are about 200 state inmates now housed at the jail. The
programs offered to these inmates and others in jail has steadily increased
since six programs were initially begun in 1982.

The Community Service Program teachers inmates employment skills. Other
programs include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, GED, life
skills, and literacy.

Other participants at Tuesday's meeting were Chad Gesser, Linda Powe,
Hervey Howell, Bob Darrell, David W. Osborne and Dick Blanton.

Thomas said she was encouraged by the meeting and plans to get the group
back together.