Ohio is the most recent state to acknowledge that, for some convicted of drug crimes, drug rehab is a far smarter alternative than prison.  Governor John Kasich signed a bill that could allow thousands of prisoners to leave prison early to attend drug rehab.

Ohio’s corrections system now holds about ten thousand more prisoners than it was designed for. In 2010, the Council of State Governments Justice Center criticized Ohio for sending too many low-risk offenders to prison for brief periods of time. This practice cost Ohio almost $200 million in 2008 alone as it costs up to $30,000 to house a criminal each year.

Proponents of the bill suggested that the reduced sentences for nonviolent felons could save Ohio taxpayers over $ 10 million per year in costs directly associated with incarceration. By signing the bill, Kasich has made it clear that drug abusers should not be treated like hard-core criminals. Over the past decade, scientific evidence has shown that inmates who participate in drug rehab programs are less likely to re-offend and re-enter the prison system.

Under the new law, some crimes that currently call for prison sentences would receive new classifications, allowing for alternative punishments other than incarceration. Officials believe that this change alone could reduce the prison overpopulation by one-third in just four years.

With low-level offenders, serving a year or less, making up a full quarter of the prison population, judges can now send new offenders to drug rehab or halfway houses instead. The cost of maintaining a person in a halfway house is about one-fifth of the cost of keeping them in jail. During their time at the house, they can also participate in work programs and attend drug rehab.

Under the new law, the judge must complete a checklist to determine whether a defendant is eligible for a halfway house or other low-security facility that specializes in drug rehab.

The obvious and sad reality is that addiction often leads to criminal behavior including theft, drug possession and sales, DUI, and other more serious criminal violations. There are numerous drug programs in Hamilton County, in-patient and out-patient, available to treat drug and alcohol addiction. Additionally, Hamilton County has a Drug Court Diversion Program. Drug Court Diversion is also known as intervention in lieu of conviction. This technique can be employed to avoid a criminal conviction by participating in and successfully completing the appropriate drug treatment regiment.

I have effectively utilized this program for scores of clients. While keeping clients out of jail is my main objective, I am also concerned about a tendency to relapse. I want to prevent clients from relapsing and being rearrested. Accordingly, I counsel clients to take their rehabilitation seriously. I encourage clients to commit to change with a sponsor or the 12-step lifestyle, and  also encourage seeing a therapist on a regular basis.

The Bottom Line:  If charged with a crime,  and drugs or alcohol are involved, consult an attorney.   A serious offense requires a good defense attorney.  By fighting in the courtroom and negotiating with experience, we can avoid a conviction or mitigate the worst provision of this charge.  Put my mobile phone number into your phone: 513-260-2099