Drug Offender Reform Act

Smarter Sentencing + Smarter Treatment = Better Outcomes and Safer Neighborhoods

What is DORA?

• A change in public policy • Offenders with drug problems are

identified early• Drug treatment options are

expanded in the community and in correctional facilities

• Crime is reduced• Victims are spared

Why Do We Need DORA?

• 85% of offenders have a drug problem that drives their criminal behavior

• Our prison system is at capacity

• Treatment works

Drugs & Alcohol Linked to Tragedy

62% of assaults

52% ofrapes

80% of child abuse 50% of

spousal abuse

20-35% of suicides

69% of drowning

s

49% of murders

50% of traffic fatalities

68% of manslaughte

rcharges

What is Smarter Sentencing?• Occurs when judges have more

information to craft better sentences.

• Under DORA, judges know an offender’s drug history.

• Treatment is not mandatory, but becomes more readily available.

How Does DORA Save Me Money?• $3,500 for treatment vs. $24,000

for a prison bed

• Decreased crime = decreased criminal justice and victim costs

• Increase in employment for treated offenders

How Does DORA Create Safer Neighborhoods?

Upon Completion of Treatment:

• Dramatic decrease in criminal activity

• Substantial increase in abstinence for alcohol and drugs

• Increase in stabile living environments

The DORA ApproachRepresents a Shift in Public Policy

The DORA Process

ArrestDrug Screening

Drug & Risk Assessment*

Drug Addiction

and Crime Cycle

Broken

Recommen

d Treatment

Drug problem?

Drug problem?

High risk?

Recommend Incarceratio

n

Offender Sentenced

Treatment Provided

PSI

* Drug Assessment is the Addictions Severity Index (ASI) the Risk Assessment is the Level of Supervision Inventory (LSI)

DORA’s Treatment StrategyHow Does it Work?

How Does Addiction Happen?

• Drugs cause long and short-term changes in the brain

• Drugs hamper a person’s ability to make correct decisions and control compulsive behavior

• Treatment helps offenders correct their behaviors, confront the problems associated with drug use, and recover from addiction.

How Does Treatment Work?

RESIDENTIAL

INTENSIVEOUTPATIENT

OUTPATIENT

AFTERCARE& RELAPSE

PREVENTION

Severeaddiction

Seriousaddiction

Dependent

Completedtreatment

Screening and Assessment

Decreased Intensity of Service

The 3-year DORA PlanPhasing in a New Way of Doing Business

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3screen drugoffenders

1,600 treated

$6.3 on-going

Screen all offenders

Assess, if needed, for addiction severity

Assess for risk to community

3,349 treated

4,479 treated

$12.1 on-going

$16.7 on-going

Is it Worth $16.7 million?Yes! Treatment Works

Economic Impact

The costs associated with these offenders

Justice systemMedical systemPublic assistanceWork-relatedVictimization

The Costs Savings

Every tax dollar spent on treatment produces $5.60 in avoided costs to the taxpayer.

Summary of Recommendations

• Eventually screen and assess all offenders over a 3-year phase-in.

• Provide appropriate level of treatment services and new treatment slots.

• Evaluate our efforts.• Realize cost savings by avoiding

repeated incarceration costs and further victimization.