55th District Court holds 18th Sobriety Court Graduation

By Roberta M. Gubbins Legal news Ten more individuals joined the ranks of graduates from the 55th District Court Sobriety Court at the 18th graduation held on Tuesday, August 10th at the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason. Hon. Donald L. Allen, Jr. officiated at the ceremony. Sobriety Court founder at 55th District Court, retired Judge Thomas Brennan, spoke of the success of the program. The program works when "compliance out of fear transforms to compliance out of want. That transformation from fear to want is what makes Sobriety Court work." Shaun Murphy, a graduate who had been in the program for two years, agreed. "I needed someone to push me. I started drinking when I was 15. I feel a lot better today than I did two years ago." Another graduate thanked "55th District Court for its innovative way of administering justice." A wife of a graduate said, "This court saved our lives. My husband is my best friend, my rock, and with completion of this program, he's my hero. "Our Sobriety Court continues to be a win-win situation, proving rehabilitation effectively protects the community, saves significant taxpayer money, and returns citizens to productive lives," Judge Allen stated. "The long term success of Sobriety Court is based upon close supervision of probationers by an interdisciplinary team dedicated to the safety of the community." With this ceremony, there are 204 successful graduates of the 55th District Court Sobriety Court. The program has been operational since 2004 and consists of comprehensive drug treatment, close supervision and full accountability. The 55th District Court's program is recognized by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), which was established in 1994 to assist the planning, implementation, and operation of Drug Courts. There are approximately 2,400 other operational Drug Courts in the United States. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, national statistics indicate that 75% of Drug Court graduates never see another pair of handcuffs. In addition, Drug Courts provide vast savings to the criminal justice system. A recent study by the Department of Justice found a cost/benefit of $3.36 for every $1.00 invested in treating drug-addicted offenders under the watchful eye of Drug Court. Locally, Sobriety Court statistics are even more promising. According to court records, in 2009 the 55th District Court Sobriety Court alleviated jail incarceration for OWI 3rd offenders by 570 days, saving Ingham County $30, 780, and of OWI 2nd offenders by 434 days, at a savings of $23, 436. "Since the inception of Sobriety Court," said Da'Neese Wells, Chief Probation Officer and Sobriety Court Coordinator, "we have now reduced jail bed usage by a total of 6,542 days, saving Ingham County a total of $353,268. We have a 75% retention rate for all participants and a recidivism rate of only 6%, significantly better than the national average of 25%. Lastly, in addition to increased public safety, decreased jail bed utilization, drug use and recidivism, in 2009 our Sobriety Court generated revenue of $42,587." Published: Thu, Aug 19, 2010

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