TNC
03-07-2005, 10:25 PM
March 7, 2005
Proposed Prison Program
By Michelle Krish
CALDWELL -
State prison officials say overcrowding is a growing problem. Part of that problem, they say, stems from offenders who turn to drugs again once they're on their own. Some lawmakers are looking to put money into a program to help probationers get further treatment and stay out of prison.
Shelly Odlum knows first hand the benefit of staying out of prison. She was cooking meth in her house, after something went wrong, Odlum found herself and her kitchen on fire. "It turned out to be the best day and the worse day of my entire life," said Odlum.
Her four children were taken away from her, but she says she was able to turn her life around through treatment. "If you're trying to get off it on your own it's so hard," said Odlum.
Prison officials say many probation violators are sent back to prison, which contributes to overcrowded prisons. They say housing all these returning offenders is expensive. "As long as the inmates keep getting incarcerated you have to fund it," said State Representative Darrell Bolz.
The proposed $118 Million Department of Correction budget also includes $250,000 that will go toward a program for probationers who have relapsed on drugs.The program will provide beds and intensive treatment in a community work center. "So instead of sending someone to prison for a year and a half to two years, they would be sent to the center for 2 months," said Ginger Wright with the Idaho Department of Correction.
Wright also says the program will help save taxpayers big dollars. "The first year we project that 90 people will be diverted from prison and that will be $162,000 savings. The second year will be a million dollar savings," said Wright.
Odlum says the drug rehab program that kept her out of prison works. She says she's clean and sober and now has her children back. Prison officials say their program could bring the same results to hundreds of other families.
The program still needs to be approved by both the house and senate. If approved, prison officials say development on the program could begin by August.
Proposed Prison Program
By Michelle Krish
CALDWELL -
State prison officials say overcrowding is a growing problem. Part of that problem, they say, stems from offenders who turn to drugs again once they're on their own. Some lawmakers are looking to put money into a program to help probationers get further treatment and stay out of prison.
Shelly Odlum knows first hand the benefit of staying out of prison. She was cooking meth in her house, after something went wrong, Odlum found herself and her kitchen on fire. "It turned out to be the best day and the worse day of my entire life," said Odlum.
Her four children were taken away from her, but she says she was able to turn her life around through treatment. "If you're trying to get off it on your own it's so hard," said Odlum.
Prison officials say many probation violators are sent back to prison, which contributes to overcrowded prisons. They say housing all these returning offenders is expensive. "As long as the inmates keep getting incarcerated you have to fund it," said State Representative Darrell Bolz.
The proposed $118 Million Department of Correction budget also includes $250,000 that will go toward a program for probationers who have relapsed on drugs.The program will provide beds and intensive treatment in a community work center. "So instead of sending someone to prison for a year and a half to two years, they would be sent to the center for 2 months," said Ginger Wright with the Idaho Department of Correction.
Wright also says the program will help save taxpayers big dollars. "The first year we project that 90 people will be diverted from prison and that will be $162,000 savings. The second year will be a million dollar savings," said Wright.
Odlum says the drug rehab program that kept her out of prison works. She says she's clean and sober and now has her children back. Prison officials say their program could bring the same results to hundreds of other families.
The program still needs to be approved by both the house and senate. If approved, prison officials say development on the program could begin by August.