$60 billion spent annually by our nation's prisons

Drug Courts Free Up Prison Beds for Violent Offenders

80% of inmates have a history of drug abuse and 50% are addicted

Drug Courts Help Stop the Revolving Door

85-95% of addicted prisoners relapse upon release

Prison population explosion in the United States

  • FACT: 1 in 100 U.S. citizens is now confined in jail or prison.
  • FACT: This burden is borne disporportionately by racial and ethnic minorities.
    • 1 out of every 15 African American men
    • 1 out of every 36 Hispanic men
  • FACT: The U.S. incarcerates more people per capita than 26 of the largest European nations.


Substance abuse connection

  • FACT: 80% of offenders abuse alcohol or other drugs.
  • FACT: 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically addicted.
  • FACT: 60% of individuals arrested for most types of crimes test positive for illicit drugs at arrest.


Imprisonment has little effect on drug abuse

  • FACT: 60 - 80% of drug abusers commit a new crime (typically a drug-driven crime) after release from prison.
  • FACT: Approximately 95% return to drug abuse after release from prison.


Accountability is the key

  • FACT: Unless they are regularly supervised by a judge, 60 to 80% of addicted offenders drop out of treatment prematurely.

 

Download The Facts on Drugs and Crime in America