Texas Ex-offenders Rally for Treatment Funds

Last month, dozens of ex-offenders lobbied staff members and committee aides at the Texas state capitol to restore funding for substance abuse treatment programs.

Preliminary budgets reflect the largest increases in years for prison treatment and diversion programs funds. The state Senate budget alone calls for an increase of almost $53 million.

Lawmakers hope to save millions in social costs by rehabilitating non-violent offenders through treatment and probation programs involving intense supervision.

According to rally-goers, every dollar spent on treatment saves $2.86 in incarceration costs, but only 18 percent of inmates needing treatment receive it.

"I'm here today because I know these programs work, that they can save people where other programs don't, that they need to be understood and funded," said Raymond Davis, who served 11 years in prison for drug offenses. Davis is a co-founder of the Winner's Circle Peer Network, a volunteer support and treatment project with 17 chapters across Texas.

(4/15/2005)