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US IL: PUB LTE: Don't Criticize All

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URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n129/a02.html
Newshawk: http://www.illinoisNORML.org
Votes: 0
Pubdate: Tue, 16 Feb 2010
Source: Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL)
Copyright: 2010 Southern Illinoisan
Contact:
Website: http://www.TheSouthern.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1430
Author: Colleen C. Flanagan

DON'T CRITICIZE ALL

The criticism leveled at the Illinois Department of Corrections' early release of prisoners threatens to tarnish the work at Illinois' Sheridan and Southwestern Illinois Correctional Centers, which are national models of substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation.

These programs reduce recidivism and increase recovery from addictions.  Key to their success is that supervision and rehabilitation continue after release from prison.  Parolees go through step-down housing, community based treatment, employment training, job placement services, anger management and parole supervision.

A formal evaluation of the Sheridan program demonstrated a 21 percent lower risk of re-arrest for a new crime than a comparison group of prisoners and a 44 percent lower risk of returning to prison than other ex-inmates.

In the clamor of these public policy debates, let's be careful not to undermine proven programs that treat addiction and protect public safety.

Colleen C.  Flanagan

TASC Area Administrator

Murphysboro


MAP posted-by: Richard Lake

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