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.