Published Wednesday, 21 November, 2007 at 06:00 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Drug Courts Helping Taxpayers By Keeping Offenders Out Of Prison.
The 252 people who have so far graduated from the Drug Court program would have cost taxpayers around $25 million dollars to keep in prison if they had not been diverted to rehabilitation services, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“The Drug Courts have been successful in giving these long term drug addicted offenders a second chance without having to send them to prison,” Mr Shine said.
“The program allows drug addicted offenders to have their prison sentences suspended and for an intensive rehabilitation program to be imposed which they must complete if they are to avoid their prison sentence.
“It costs around $70,000 to keep an inmate in prison per year which means the Drug Court program has effectively saved around $25 million dollars by successfully diverting these drug addicted offenders into rehabilitation programs.”
Mr Shine said every graduate of the program has achieved significant results by completing their rehabilitation.
“We are talking about serious long term drug addicts who have overcome incredible odds and who can now become contributing members of society rather than a burden on it.”
“The Drug Courts are not a soft option for these offenders, their rehabilitation program is tough and can take 12 to 18 months to complete.
“The program is so tough that around 60% of offenders sent to Drug Courts have failed the program and were brought back before the court and sentenced for their offences, with many going to prison.
“Those that have graduated were also sentenced at the end of their rehabilitation and generally had periods of imprisonment set aside and were ordered to serve their sentences in the community.
“This provides a great incentive to these drug addicted offenders to complete their program and avoid jail,” Mr Shine said.
The Drug Court began as a trial program in south-east Queensland in 2000 and then extended to north Queensland in 2002, before becoming a permanent sentencing option in 2006. Drug Courts now operate in Beenleigh, Southport, Ipswich, Townsville and Cairns.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“The Drug Courts have been successful in giving these long term drug addicted offenders a second chance without having to send them to prison,” Mr Shine said.
“The program allows drug addicted offenders to have their prison sentences suspended and for an intensive rehabilitation program to be imposed which they must complete if they are to avoid their prison sentence.
“It costs around $70,000 to keep an inmate in prison per year which means the Drug Court program has effectively saved around $25 million dollars by successfully diverting these drug addicted offenders into rehabilitation programs.”
Mr Shine said every graduate of the program has achieved significant results by completing their rehabilitation.
“We are talking about serious long term drug addicts who have overcome incredible odds and who can now become contributing members of society rather than a burden on it.”
“The Drug Courts are not a soft option for these offenders, their rehabilitation program is tough and can take 12 to 18 months to complete.
“The program is so tough that around 60% of offenders sent to Drug Courts have failed the program and were brought back before the court and sentenced for their offences, with many going to prison.
“Those that have graduated were also sentenced at the end of their rehabilitation and generally had periods of imprisonment set aside and were ordered to serve their sentences in the community.
“This provides a great incentive to these drug addicted offenders to complete their program and avoid jail,” Mr Shine said.
The Drug Court began as a trial program in south-east Queensland in 2000 and then extended to north Queensland in 2002, before becoming a permanent sentencing option in 2006. Drug Courts now operate in Beenleigh, Southport, Ipswich, Townsville and Cairns.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273