Pubdate: Thu, 18 Dec 2008
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2008 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Bob Kasarda

JAIL TREATMENT PROGRAM FUNDS SOUGHT

ALPARAISO - County officials are being forced to find a new source of 
funding for a drug and alcohol treatment program for inmates at Porter 
County Jail.

The intensive outpatient program Porter-Starke Services ran had been funded 
by a $25 fee charged of everyone booked at the jail, Porter County 
Commissioner Bob Harper said.

The state, however, ended that fee over the summer on grounds it was not 
fair, Harper said. That has left the county with a quickly diminishing 
amount of money for the program.

David Hollenbeck, the outgoing Porter County Council attorney, told 
commissioners Tuesday evening he has spoken with county judges about 
possibly implementing a new fee charged only of those convicted of crimes. 
That approach is allowed by the state, he said.

Commissioner John Evans asked if the fee still could be collected during 
the booking and then returned to those found not guilty.

Hollenbeck said it could not.

Harper, also a criminal defense attorney, estimated about 90 percent of 
those arrested are eventually found guilty of a crime.

He said the commissioners will discuss alternative sources of funding for 
the program at their first meeting next month.
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