olomus asked this question on 3/22/2000:
I understand why the legal system feels it necessary to place people in jail for certain "crimes". However, I also believe there should be programs available to help rehabilitate them, educate them, and prepare them for "changing their ways".
My husband is currently service a jail sentance for a DWI. There are no AA meetings, no alcohol/drug counseling (1-on-1 or group), no church services, no education classes for drug and/or alcohol abuse, at this jail. He merely has to play a waiting game until his sentance is over and will be no more the wiser for "paying his dues to society" upon his release.
Why doesn't the justice system "see" that this method isn't rehabilitating (educating or helping) these people who (and most of them in jail are) in for alcohol/drug abuse situations? Is there anything in the works to change this?
Poe gave this response on 3/23/2000:
There should be more rehabilitative programs for those in jail, who genuinely want to improve. I think part of the problem lies in the old world way of thinking. For a long time, many in the justice system have seen ANY offense as a crime committed by evil persons. The thinking seems to have been, and still is in some cases, "They did wrong and they should know better, so punish them." They don't view jail as a means of reforming these individuals to live more productive lives, but only as a means of swift retribution. However, what few seem to realize when it comes to any addiction, is that addiction is a disease. Simply locking someone up, especially someone who has spent years immersed in their addiction, does not treat the underlying condition that got them in trouble to begin with. We don't have room in our jails for violent offenders, rapists, murderers, etc, now, because our justice system has them filled up with many individuals who may have benefitted more from court ordered rehab, than they ever will from jail. However, the good news is that some jails and prisons are beginning to implement programs to help these people, and some judges are beginning to recognize that many petty criminals were engaged in their activities to support habits, thus make an effort to get rid of the habit and eliminate the petty crime. Bear in mind though, not all alcohol and drug abusers fall into such simple categories. Hopefully, one day our legal system we'll understand as much about addiction as our medical community. I have often thought it quite remarkable that people can berate these souls as being evil and no-good, etc, that is until one of them turns up in their family. The its different; "They just need some help." Hang in there, no matter what, you can't fix your husband. He will have to want to get help himself, before it will do him any real good. The best thing that you can do is get help for yourself, as addiction is a family disease; it affects all members. Al-Anon is for members of the drinker's family and no one could understand what you're going through than them. Check your directory listings, or your newspaper, they should have a number to call for meeting times, etc. If you do not find any listings in either of those, you can call the local hospitals and clinics that treat substance abuse and they can give you a number to contact. Good Luck!
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olomus rated this answer a 5.
Believe me, I'm aware of all the programs out there in regards to alcoholism. My hubby was sober for over 3 1/2 years (longest stretch yet, some were 1, 2 years of sobriety) beforee falling off the wagon this summer, drinking/driving and getting the DWI. When they put him in jail, he was attending extensive outpatient classes, 1-on-1 counseling sessions, and AA meetings. Now he gets a 6 month break from all that to sit around w/out the benefit of treatment....GRRR...