Prison overcrowding and criminal recession are enormous problems in the criminal justice system. Yet, states and districts cannot afford to continue to build new jails and prisons. A great number of those in prison or jail are there for drug related crimes. One solution to these problems is treatment to help minimize the incarceration for drug offenders. Criminal offenders who use drugs can receive drug treatment instead of serving time in jail or prison. Once their addictions are treated, drug offenders are less likely to commit future crimes. This frees up prison cells and resources for more serious offenders. Governors and legislators in several states have recently expressed greater interest in changing sentencing laws for drug offenses and increasing substance abuse treatment for those moving through the criminal justice system.
The first drug court was established in Florida in 1989. Since then, 697 have been established in all 50 states. The popularity and......
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Approximate Word Count: 1443
Approximate Pages: 6 (260 words per double-spaced page) |