The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Originally Posted - March 2, 2006

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/030206DrugTreatment.html

According to the latest data from OJP's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), 68% of jail inmates reported substance abuse dependence prior to incarceration, with 29% being under the influence of drugs at the time of the offense and 16% committing offenses in order to obtain money for drugs. Of the more than 665,000 jail inmates, over two-thirds were found to be dependent on or abusing alcohol or drugs.

RSAT helps to address the issue of substance abuse dependence and the direct link to public safety, crime and victimization by providing comprehensive treatment and services within the institution and in the community after a prisoner is released. The most recent recidivism data from BJS illustrates 67% of prisoners released from prison or jails are rearrested within three years of release.

The Department of Justice’s prisoner re-entry efforts, including the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, support programs that help ex-offenders find and keep employment, obtain transitional housing, receive mentoring, develop risk and needs assessment, and assist with post-release supervision. The Initiative is a partnership between the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Labor, with $300 million over a four-year period which began in 2004.

This year's RSAT awards range from $900,000 for more populated states, such as California and Texas, to $40,000 for less populated states, such as Vermont and North Dakota. Funds are allocated to each state, the District of Columbia and territories based upon respective prison population in relationship to the total prison population of all states combined.

All states are eligible to participate in the RSAT program, but they must meet certain criteria to receive funding. RSAT programs must last between six and 12 months; provide residential treatment facilities set apart from the general population; focus on the substance abuse problems of the inmate; and develop the inmate’s cognitive, behavioral, social, vocational, and other life skills to solve substance abuse and related problems. Additionally, RSAT requires states contribute 25 percent in matching funds. A complete listing of the 2006 RSAT awards is attached and available at: www.ojp.usdoj.gov
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP is headed by an Assistant Attorney General and comprises five component bureaus and an office: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime, as well as the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy and OJP's American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Desk. More information can be found at . A list of the award per state follows:

Alabama 185,111; Alaska 54,116; Arizona 223,474; Arkansas 117,449; California 983,132; Colorado 154,208; Connecticut 114,236; Delaware 62,362; Florida 523,946; Georgia 328,825; Hawaii 62,856; Idaho 75,329; Illinois 288,870; Indiana 175,262; Iowa 87,514; Kansas 90,014; Kentucky 140,158; Louisiana 248,547; Maine 50,671; Maryland 171,164; Massachusetts 96,690; Michigan 316,237; Minnesota 88,835; Mississippi 158,118; Missouri 215,347; Montana 61,172; Nebraska 62,606; Nevada 103,610; New Hampshire 53,074; New Jersey 190,841; New Mexico 75,352; New York 400,500; North Carolina 240,017; North Dakota 46,721; Ohio 293,132; Oklahoma 171,357; Oregon 113,913; Pennsylvania 271,352; Rhode Island 49,934; South Carolina 171,975; South Dakota 56,740; Tennessee 185,894; Texas 991,911; Utah 73,142; Vermont 47,423; Virginia 240,754; Washington 133,357; West Virginia 67,917; Wisconsin 169,357; Wyoming 50,421; Territory,American Samoa 40,135; Guam 39,891; Northern Mariana Islands 39,755; Puerto Rico 103,661; Virgin Islands 41,614.

3-2-06
© 2005 North Country Gazette

Just as an aside to anyone who gets to the bottom of this page, the National Priorities Project estimates the cost of the Iraq War is set to reach $251 billion March 31, 2006.