TNC
12-28-2005, 11:40 PM
BOISE - New data is now available regarding an Idaho Department of Correction outreach project to raise awareness of correctional issues, and create dialogue in the community, as offender populations grow in Idaho. The data, collected from public forum participants, offers overwhelming support for providing a range of treatment options to offenders.
The Safe Communities public forums held this fall drew approximately 500 citizens to four community meetings across the state. An exit survey asked participants for feedback on correctional issues. Of the 500 participants, 162 responded to the survey and provided the basis for this data. The Idaho Department of Correction has since analyzed and quantified their responses. The surveys show:
Overwhelming support for community based drug treatment and for offender treatment while in prison. 93 percent of those who responded indicated they support treatment in the community, 94 percent of responders said they support providing treatment for offenders during incarceration.
On the issue of prison population growth, 50 percent of those who responded said they support rehabilitation, either as treatment, programming, education, or in developing employment skills. According to an IDOC analysis of the data, it appears the general response is in favor of having an alternative sentencing program for non-violent or property crimes as a means of keeping prison populations under control.
The goal of the Safe Communities public meetings is to enhance safety by providing information and resources to the community. There are currently more treatment needs than there is program capacity in Idahoˇ¦s prison system. At any given time, for every five inmates in need of treatment, there are two positions available.
Detailed assessment of the survey data
http://www.corr.state.id.us/press_releases/safecommsurvey.pdf
The Safe Communities public forums held this fall drew approximately 500 citizens to four community meetings across the state. An exit survey asked participants for feedback on correctional issues. Of the 500 participants, 162 responded to the survey and provided the basis for this data. The Idaho Department of Correction has since analyzed and quantified their responses. The surveys show:
Overwhelming support for community based drug treatment and for offender treatment while in prison. 93 percent of those who responded indicated they support treatment in the community, 94 percent of responders said they support providing treatment for offenders during incarceration.
On the issue of prison population growth, 50 percent of those who responded said they support rehabilitation, either as treatment, programming, education, or in developing employment skills. According to an IDOC analysis of the data, it appears the general response is in favor of having an alternative sentencing program for non-violent or property crimes as a means of keeping prison populations under control.
The goal of the Safe Communities public meetings is to enhance safety by providing information and resources to the community. There are currently more treatment needs than there is program capacity in Idahoˇ¦s prison system. At any given time, for every five inmates in need of treatment, there are two positions available.
Detailed assessment of the survey data
http://www.corr.state.id.us/press_releases/safecommsurvey.pdf