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?

cruzmsl gave this response on 3/22/2000:

I believe the answer to that is because (and not focusing on your husband, but the general DWI/jail prisoner) Is here in Texas your are usually givin two DWI's before they finally and possibly sentence you to jail after the third conviction (unless other crimes were committed in one episode such as Involuntary manslaughter with a vehicle where an innocent victim is involved in a head on accident with a drunk and the victim dies) With the very first conviction of DWI, the state mandates a DWI course, a fine, probation and a suspension of your license for a period of 90days (usually) On your second offense the above apply, but the fine is increased as well as the probation and or jail time along with license suspension. You can even be givin a pill which makes you break out if you consume alcoholic beverages, or you can be on a monitor, or you can have a breathing device in your vehicle should your probation last longer than your license suspension. By the third time if you haven't learned already by the first two times, then maybe jail time will change your mind about DWI. There has been many lives lost to Drunk Drivers and drunks usually don't feel the impact until one of there own family members is taken by a drunk driver. I cannot deny I do not consume alcoholic beverages, however I don't get plastered. As long as there is a limit, then it is not illegal to consume alcoholic beverages and operate a motor vehicle (.08percent). However if there was a zero tolerance, then everyone would be busted. Hope I helped. Goodluck Ed.

The average rating for this answer is 4.

olomus rated this answer a 4.

That's (manditory classes and such) pretty much how things go here in NY. I would like to see AA meetings, counseling, rehabilitation while in jail. Hubby for example, has about 10 DWI's in his life, he was sober for over 3 1/2 years (in the past it's been 1 year, 2 years of sobriety, all those classes and meetings help) before falling off the wagon, drinking & driving, busted. When put in jail (I feel he should be there to help enforce sobriety) he was attending extensive out patient treatment, AA, 1-on-1 counseling. Getting back on track to sobriety.

Now that's put on hold for 6 months while he serves time (playing cards, watching tv, reading, basketball & ping pong, working out - ouch, huh).

Instead of justice utilizing time to rehabilitate, educate, reform people with alcohol/drug addictions - they're teaching "patience".

Thanks for your answer.