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| Okla. drug, mental health courts cut prison costs |
| By mywebpal.com - TIM TALLEY, AP |
| Published: 04/26/2012 |
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dozens of Oklahoma drug and mental health court graduates crowded into the state Capitol Wednesday to tell lawmakers about how the programs have helped turn their lives around. Representatives of some of Oklahoma's drug and mental health courts set up informational booths that lauded the success of the programs, including low recidivism rates and high employment rates for graduates of the alternative sentencing programs. "Recovery happens every day in Oklahoma," Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Terri White said to applause and cheers from court workers and graduates. "Because of you, we have avoided hundreds of millions of dollars in criminal justice costs." White said drug and mental health courts are considered some of the most successful alternatives to incarcerating non- violent offenders with mental or addictive disorders. White said it costs $5,000 a year to adjudicate an offender in drug court but $19,000 a year to incarcerate the offender. Read More. |
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