Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/02/1998 04:40 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
2 March, 1998
4:40 p.m.
TAPES
SFC 98 # 58, Side A (000-322)
CALL TO ORDER
Senator Bert Sharp, Co-Chair, convened the meeting at
approximately 4:40 p.m.
PRESENT
In addition to Co-Chair Sharp, Senators Torgerson and
Phillips were present when the meeting was convened.
Also Attending: Representative GENE KUBINA; GARY FIELD,
Ph.D., Alcohol and Drug Services Manager, Department of
Corrections, State of Oregon; BETSEY ROBSON, Assistant
Director, Office of the Commissioner, Department of
Corrections; MIKE GREANY, Director, Division of Legislative
Finance and aides to committee members and other members of
the Legislature.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
SENATE BILL NO. 246
"An Act amending the definition of correctional
facility to include a therapeutic treatment center;
providing for the conveyance of the Harborview
Developmental Center and appurtenant land to the City
of Valdez for the purpose of conversion and lease of a
part of the center for a therapeutic treatment center
for the Department of Corrections; providing that such
a land conveyance counts toward the general grant land
entitlement of the City of Valdez; and providing for an
effective date."
INVITATION ONLY PRESENTATION BY:
DR. GARY FIELD, STATE OF OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
on:
DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Co-Chair Sharp explained that while this bill hasn't yet
been received in the Senate Finance Committee, the committee
would be hearing Dr. Field's presentation today while he is
in Juneau. He introduced Dr. Field, and invited him to the
table.
Dr. Field told the committee his presentation would focus on
two areas at the request of the committee. The first is the
expected outcome of the Department of Corrections planned
program for the Harborview Development Center. The other
area is the cost-effective benefits of the program.
Speaking to the outcome the Legislature and others can
expect of this program, Dr. Field directed the committee's
attention to the study from Texas Christian University. He
told them this study best typifies the expected outcomes of
the proposed Alaska program. He referred them specifically
to the chart on the second page of the study summary.
He noted many similarities of the Harborview Development
Center proposal to other programs in existence across the
nation. He listed the Stay N' Out program in New York
State; the Cornerstone program in Oregon; the Amity program
in San Diego; and the Key-Crest program in Delaware. While
these programs have many things in common with the AK
Department of Corrections planned project there are
different variables. The crime reduction shown for each of
the current programs varies from 34-60%.
Dr. Field informed the committee they could expect between
30 and 60% reduction for Alaska's program. He did advise
that the reduction is much less for the first twelve months
of the program, only between 20 and 30%. He expanded on
some of the reasons for this, using the analogy of a "shake-
down cruise" syndrome. It takes awhile for new programs to
become fully functional and effective.
He then moved on to cost-effective benefits. He spoke of
the planning process economists use when setting anticipated
cost benefits. They must rely on soft science. Some are
more conservative while others more optimistic in their
predictions. He recommended following a more conservative
route.
Dr. Field quoted results from a Columbia University study.
This study showed reduced costs for arrests, housing,
treatment and other inmate related expenses after these
types of drug and alcohol treatment programs are
incorporated into the corrections system. He talked about
average treatment costs and their return on investment.
According to his findings, if ten percent of treated
individuals stay out of the criminal justice system for one
year, the state will see six percent return. The return
jumps way up to over 100% if the success rate of treated
individuals rises above 20%. He shared that he has
participated in a number of the studies that have come to
this conclusion and recommends the State of Alaska follow
their suggested advice.
This concluded his presentation. Co-Chair Sharp opened the
floor to questions. Representative Kubina inquired on the
effectiveness of programs with respect to their size and
location with regard to integration into general prison
facilities.
Dr. Field explained how large programs tend to do better if
they are modularized into smaller units. Smaller programs
are the most successful. He indicated that the results are
better if participants are isolated from the general inmate
population. He admitted that this form of treatment is more
expensive, but has better intensity and therefore, better
results. He suggested focusing these resources on the
tougher cases because those are the ones that need isolated
treatment.
He talked of the "prison code" and its relevancy to the
treatment programs. The "code" for inmates in general
prison populations is to "do your own time," meaning inmates
are expected to be self-sufficient and not rely on others
for support. It also entails an overall attitude to not
follow authority. Successful treatment in this program
requires participants to help and depend on each other and
follow authority. For these reasons, Dr. Field stressed the
importance of isolating these participants.
Representative Kubina referred to Alaska's native culture
and asked if there were any statistics that might indicate
the effectiveness of treatment in this area. Dr. Field
stressed that cultural adaptations must be made but the
programs can still be successful. Other states have dealt
with similar cultural issues and found ways to make it work.
Co-Chair Sharp asked about relapses for abusers of drugs
versus alcohol. Dr. Field informed him that 90 to 95% of
successful treatment is the same for all substances. He
noted that the five- percent note affected by traditional
treatment methods must still be addressed.
Representative Kubina wanted assurance that the proposed
Alaska Department of Corrections program is similar to those
programs with an established track record. Dr. Field spoke
of the Cornerstone Program's 14 years of success and
subsequent expansion.
Co-Chair Sharp had questions about the flow of participants
through the program. Dr. Fields said the best return on
investment is achieved when inmates enter treatment during
the last year of their sentence and stay in the program
right up to their release. The studies are very clear on
this. He indicated that programs with six to nine months
duration are the best.
The proposed size of the Harborview Development Center
program was another inquiry Co-Chair Sharp voiced.
Representative Kubina told him of the Legislature's
authorization last year of funding for up to 100 beds. He
said the Department of Corrections intends to keep the
program smaller in the beginning to help ensure
effectiveness. Betsey Robson from the department was
invited to the table to elaborate.
Co-Chair Sharp and Representative Kubina thanked Dr. Field
for his presentation. Co-Chair Sharp indicated that the
committee looks forward to hearing Dr. Field's critique on
the Alaska program once it gets started.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Sharp adjourned the meeting at approximately
5:05 p.m.
SFC-98 (1) 03/02/98 pm
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