The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the US Department of Health Human Services reported a study evaluating the effect and improvement of treatment services, including economic results in 1997 (McVay 5). Treatment was found to be cost effective, particularly when compared to incarceration, which is usually the alternative. During the time, treatment costs were approximately $1800-$6800 per client. In Brooklyn, New York, the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) program allows drug addicted defendants to plead guilty to an offense and start a residential, therapeutic community treatment system that can last up to 2 years as an alternative to a prison sentence. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that the program achieved significant results in reducing recidivism and drug use which increased the likelihood of finding employment, and saved money over the cost incarceration. The average cost of putting a defendant in DTAP, including the costs of residential treatment, vocational training, and support services was $32,974. If they had been sent to serve the average term of imprisonment for participants, 25 months, the average cost is $64,338. The cost of treat is half the price of being incarcerated. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) raises the question of cost and benefits for the state policy makers. What is the benefit of each dollar in criminal justice programming spending from taxpayers by program costs, and for crime victims by lower crime rates, and less recidivism? Drug treatment in prison yielded a benefit of between $1.91 and $2.69 for every dollar spent on them. By contrast, therapeutic community programs outside of prison—typically work release facilities—yielded $8.87 of benefit for every program dollar spent. The large difference is due to higher program
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the US Department of Health Human Services reported a study evaluating the effect and improvement of treatment services, including economic results in 1997 (McVay 5). Treatment was found to be cost effective, particularly when compared to incarceration, which is usually the alternative. During the time, treatment costs were approximately $1800-$6800 per client. In Brooklyn, New York, the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) program allows drug addicted defendants to plead guilty to an offense and start a residential, therapeutic community treatment system that can last up to 2 years as an alternative to a prison sentence. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that the program achieved significant results in reducing recidivism and drug use which increased the likelihood of finding employment, and saved money over the cost incarceration. The average cost of putting a defendant in DTAP, including the costs of residential treatment, vocational training, and support services was $32,974. If they had been sent to serve the average term of imprisonment for participants, 25 months, the average cost is $64,338. The cost of treat is half the price of being incarcerated. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) raises the question of cost and benefits for the state policy makers. What is the benefit of each dollar in criminal justice programming spending from taxpayers by program costs, and for crime victims by lower crime rates, and less recidivism? Drug treatment in prison yielded a benefit of between $1.91 and $2.69 for every dollar spent on them. By contrast, therapeutic community programs outside of prison—typically work release facilities—yielded $8.87 of benefit for every program dollar spent. The large difference is due to higher program