Treatment Programs For Probationers
When most people think of parolees, their first thought probably isn’t to sign them up for a library card. But in Tifton (Ga.) that’s exactly what we do.
Tears of relief recently ran down one participant’s face as he entered a new program aimed at getting troubled drug offenders treatment.The new initiative is less than two months old, but already it is paying dividends, according to those running itOf the seven people who started the Medication Assisted Treatment Induction Program for Denver probationers, four remain enrolled. The program aims to identify troubled probationers who aren’t complying with requirements that they remain drug free. It gives them the option of receiving methadone treatment while in jail.
Community Supervision Programs
Then they are handed off to an outpatient treatment program upon their release from custody.“We’re giving them a warm hand-off from the jail to a methadone clinic, and giving them wrap-around services and letting them know we’re here to support them and remove the roadblocks so they can be successful,” said Scott Prendergast, Denver probation supervisor. Related Articles. January 3, 2020. January 2, 2020. Rapidshare carbon copy cloner for mac. December 30, 2019.
Which Of The Following Is True Of Shock Probation?
December 30, 2019. December 27, 2019Getting the program up and running was a two-year process that involved collaboration between the Denver Sheriff Department, Denver Human Services, Denver Health, Denver Adult Probation, Denver District Court and the University of Colorado. The inspiration for the program came from a criminal justice forum Prendergast and Denver District Court Chief Judge Michael Martinez attended that included a presentation on a treatment program for opioid-addicted inmates in Rikers Island jail in New York City.Every Wednesday, a representative from the public defender’s office, the Denver District Attorney’s office, a drug court magistrate, a probation official, a drug court coordinator and a treatment professional meet to go over probation cases that would make a good fit for treatment. So far, one individual a week has qualified.These are cases in which the individual would have been in danger of a probation revocation, which could have resulted in an 18-month jail sentence, or a release to back to the streets.Instead, those selected for the program get a short-term jail stint. Participants are sent to the Correctional Care Medical Facility, a secure inpatient clinic inside Denver Health Medical Center, where they are assessed and, if appropriate, given a dose of methadone. They are returned to Denver’s Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center for the weekend and receive two other doses.Then, upon release from the jail, they are driven, accompanied by a coordinator, to the offices of Addiction Research and Treatment Services, a clinical program of CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus, where they are enrolled in an outpatient methadone treatment program.
Their cases are monitored by a probation officer and a magistrate, who has the hammer of revoking their probation and sending them to jail for non-compliance, Prendergast said. The probation officer also works on finding housing, mental health services, job assistance and other services the participant may need to remain free of drugs.For now, one person a week is being enrolled, but there are hopes for more capacity as the program continues to develop, Prendergast said.The program is somewhat of a departure for a jail. Historically, jails throughout the nation have been reluctant to offer methadone treatment, in part because there is a fear it will switch an addict to a new dependence and also because of fears methadone could become valuable contraband.