NARCONON ACKNOWLEDGES NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Jail Cell

Narconon of Georgia has always been a big proponent of alternatives to incarceration for offenders who are addicts.   So when we hear that New Jersey is proposing early release from prison for “offenders with addiction disorders” we are in complete agreement.

The strong point about New Jersey’s proposed legislation is inmate responsibility.  That demand for responsibility from the offender is reflected in the name of the program; “Earn Your Own Way Out.”

Six months of drug treatment can make an offender eligible for early release.  The release would be contingent on two more years of treatment, followed by parole.  This puts the onus on the offender, as well it should be.

An important point for success is to ensure that the treatment provided is a proven method with a high success rate.  An otherwise effective program could appear to be ineffective due to ineffective treatment.

Here is more on the story, from Join Together.

“New Jersey’s nonviolent offenders with addiction disorders could be eligible for early release from prison — with continued substance abuse treatment — under proposed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), NJ.com reported Jan. 6.

Lesniak’s “Earn Your Way Out” program, co-sponsored by Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson) and Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), would provide six months of drug education in prison to inmates. Participation would trim their sentences by two years. Two years of treatment would follow, and then three years on parole. NJ.com said participants would have to be “diagnosed with addiction problems” to be eligible.

“This is not easy,” said David Kerr, of Newark’s Integrity House treatment program. “These efforts have to be made not by us, but by the inmate addict.”

Narconon encourages this program and others like it across the country to expand and flourish.  We would welcome the opportunity to be invited to participate in such programs.   It is vital that an effective treatment program be added to placing responsibility on the offender.  With those two ingredients, effectiveness and responsibility, a high success rate is almost guaranteed.

Narconon drug rehab in Georgia was founded as an alternative to incarceration and our first 20 offenders were addicts.  It was effective in most cases and undoubtedly saved the community money in the long run.