Crime Connection

This report was provided by  Oregon Department of Human Service:

FACT SHEET
April 19, 2002

BACKGROUND

There is a well-documented connection between criminal behavior and substance abuse. Oregon Department of Corrections officials estimate 75-80% of adults entering Oregon's criminal justice system have substance abuse problems.  In addition, an estimated 30% have a co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnosis. According to the 2000 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) report on Multnomah County adult male arrestees, 61% of arrestees tested positive for illicit drugs at time of arrest.

CRITICAL POINTS OF INTERVENTION

Substance abuse interventions must be readily accessible and utilized for offenders with addiction problems during three critical points of the criminal justice continuum:

Currently, Oregon does not have enough drug and alcohol treatment capacity and drug-free housing for offenders in treatment and recovery maintenance (Public Safety Plan, Report to the Governor and Legislature, Criminal Justice Commission, March 2001).  Inadequate treatment capacity shifts costs to the criminal justice system.

WHO'S REOFFENDING AND HOW?

Approximately 300 inmates per month complete their prison sentences and are returned to their communities. Approximately 30,000 offenders are on probation or post-prison supervision in the community. Overall, the recidivism rate for offenders on Post Prison Supervision/Parole is 30%. The recidivism rate for the Probation population is 24%. (Defined by Department of Correction as felony conviction within three years of release from institution or beginning of probation). Drug Crime recidivism comprises the highest incidence for offenders convicted of crimes in all crime categories.  Drug crime accounts for 41.7% of convictions for all offenders who recidivate (Oregon Department of Corrections).

COSTS TO THE TAXPAYER

Incarceration, community supervision, and other sanctions associated with substance abusing offenders cost the taxpayer:

COST COMPARISON

The majority of Oregon taxpayers support treatment over incarceration for drug offenders.

SUMMARY

Crime and substance abuse are interconnected.  We can save money, increase public safety and provide offender accountability only by maintaining and enhancing treatment capacity and finding ways to build collaborative efforts between treatment and criminal justice.