A story about the county's Drug Court appeared on the same day as furloughs were announced by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Drug courts, if nothing else, make good economic sense for the state. A year in drug court costs about $5,000 compared to $19,000 to keep someone incarcerated.
About 4,500 Oklahomans are participating in 53 courts throughout the state. Statistics show about a quarter of them will re-offend, far less than those who come out of prison.
Our county's drug court, one of the state's first, has graduated more than 200 offenders since it began in 2001. Judge Tom Lucas heads up the court which meets weekly.
Offenders are kept out of the penitentiary by pleading to a crime and having their sentences stayed pending completion of the rigid program. Participants are screened. From curfews to random drug tests, every aspect of their lives is controlled by the court.
The need for alternatives to incarceration grows every year. Lawmakers once again this year face the prospect of coming back into session to find money to operate corrections or appropriate money for the current fiscal year once they return to session in February.
Without an additional appropriation, the 4,700 Department of Corrections employees face furloughs beginning in March. Those making over $50,000 a year face 12-day furloughs over four months. Those making less than $50,000 annually will take 10 unpaid days.
Opinion
State's drug courts save taxpayers' money
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