Specialty Courts: 'Return On Investment'

Time for some mind-blowing statistics. There was no guaranteed "return on investment" when the Commissioners consented to a DUI Court and a Drug Treatment Court, as proposed by our Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB).

But it has paid off -- both financially and in lives turned around or even saved. At a recent CJAB meeting, we heard that diverting some of those with alcohol and/or drug problems to this intensive-supervision court has prevented 5,738 "jail days" and counting. Savings for that alone are in the ballpark of $250,000.

Potter County's Courtroom

Just think of the other savings as these offenders get their lives together and are less likely to re-offend, more likely to work, and more likely to be responsible citizens (and family members). Specialty courts are growing across the country.

Potter is the first county in northcentral Pennsylvania – and one of the few rural counties nationwide – to embark on that path. National studies show that 80 percent of defendants with addiction or behavioral disorders who go through the traditional criminal justice system end up back in jail, compared to just over 20 percent of those whose cases are handled through specialty courts.