Governor OKs jail for drug offenders

Sacramento Bee ^ | 7/13/6 | Laura Mecoy

[SmithL]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a measure Wednesday that rewrites a voter-approved initiative to allow short-term jail sentences for drug offenders who fail to complete court-ordered treatment programs.

Senate Bill 1137 changes the provisions of Proposition 36, the 2000 initiative voters approved to require treatment instead of prison for certain nonviolent drug offenders.

Three out of four of those sentenced to treatment under Proposition 36 never show up for their court-ordered programs, or they fail to complete them.

A task force of prosecutors, judges, public defenders and treatment providers drafted the bill in the hope that short-term jail sentences would get drug offenders to complete treatment.

The measure would allow judges to sentence recalcitrant drug offenders to two to 10 days in jail or a detoxification facility if they relapse or drop out of treatment.

[SmithL]

Just say no to treatment abuse.

[Lexington Green]

Arnold took illegal steroids for decades... smoked pot on film. too... When does he begin HIS treatment?

[Seruzawa]

The machine grinds on.......

[camas]

some people can change without outside help. i smoked for 35 years
and stopped on my own. (little help from the patch my have helped)

[elkfersupper]

Prisons - America's growth industry.

I was surprised to learn recently that we nearly have as many people incarcerated as Russia and China combined. Not per capita - actual body count.

[calcowgirl]

Well this will certainly exacerbate the prison overcrowding and support his proposal to borrow billions for even more prisons. I'm sure the CCPOA will also like the idea of more 'customers'.

On the other hand, these addicts that don't show up for treatment shouldn't be let off scott-free. How about imposing big fines, instead? Perhaps garnishing 100% of their wages would incentivize them to fulfill their sentencing requirements and attend the drug treatment program.