There are currently only 374 "beds" available in therapeutic community programs offered through the Department of Correction for approximately 6,500 inmates statewide. According to the Department of Correction Offender Programs and Education Report for fiscal year 2004, of offenders who completed programs recognized as effective treatment for drug and alcohol abusers and went to parole, 24 percent have parole revocation compared with 42 percent for inmates who had an identified need for treatment but were not able to participate because of a shortage of programming resources.

From the data available it appears that if the state Legislature were to make an investment in the treatment of drug and alcohol addictions in the prison population, that investment would pay off in the state's having to house fewer inmates in the future, not to mention the opportunities for those former inmates' positive contributions to society through work and family.

I urge the appropriations committee to fund additional treatment opportunities for the Department of Correction.

Dianne