As a sign of the (oh my god) economic times, New York Governor David Paterson has cut
$8.6 million in funding for nonprofit community-based groups that provide drug treatment and counseling to those that served time in prison and are returning to society -- basically people on parole.
The Division of Parole is also cutting its entire treatment program for parolees -- this will not end well. But don't worry folks, they are providing an additional $2 million to the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse that will more than make up for an $8 million shortfall. Yeah, that is sure to even things out for the estimated 2,700 participants that are far less likely to receive the help that they need.
When asked about the budget cuts, Erik Kriss, spokesperson for the department of corrections, lamented about the divestment of treatment but added that it had to "protect its own people." Hmm, you know who else had to "protect it's own people"?
The California prison guards union.
These New York budget cuts are somewhat ironic. Cutting treatment funding will actually cost more money than it will save in the long run because more people needing treatment during re-entry will recidivate This will cost more money because the increased number of people violating parole will have to be incarcerated.
Treatment has shown to lower recidivism rates and increase community health and safety. Hopefully Paterson will figure out a way to reverse these cuts and approach drug policy through a public health lens, but it doesn't seem likely at the moment.
Posted by Evan G.