22c) Incarcerations – Solutions
The solutions are actually very easy, but the implementation will first require some political courage:
- Eliminate and/or significantly reduce incarceration terms for drug users.
- Reduce incarceration terms for drug related thefts.
- Reduce incarceration terms for lower level distributors.
- Allocate 25 – 40% of the incarceration term savings to after release programs. (note: most, if not all of this will be recouped in the form of reducing the recidivism rate.
Drug related releases will have the following requirements to avoid incarceration reentry:
- Must agree to attend no less than 2 AA and or NA meetings per week.
- Must enter a transition housing facility for a minimum of 60 days and up to 120 if needed.
- Must find at least part time employment within 90 days.
- Must participate in all programs required by the transition housing entity. To include, but limited to counseling & mentoring.
- Must not abuse drugs
- Must not commit any felony
Release funding for the previously discussed release inmates will include:
- The cost of transition housing entry fee.
- Up to 120 days of daily transition housing accommodation allowance (to be determined at state level most likely in the $25 – $35 per night range)
Additional funding should be allowed to insure adequate availability of transition housing to qualified service providers. Suggest grants in the range of $2,000 – $3,000 per bed and short term low interest rate loans, 3-5 years.