Prison rehab programs face cuts

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the state prison system will have to be closed within six months if a federal grant is eliminated, the state Department of Corrections said today.

Department Director Jackie Crawford said the money from the federal government was the only direct allocation to the prison system for this purpose. It amounts to $616,138 a year.

Crawford and Gov. Kenny Guinn have both written the Nevada congressional delegation asking the money be restored in the budget.

A House-Senate conference committee eliminated the $7 million grant program for the Justice Department. Guinn said the action "came as a complete surprise to many including the congressional supporters of the program."

The House has approved the conference report and the Senate will take it up in January.

Guinn said in his letter that "At any one time 80 to 90 percent of Nevada's inmates have primary alcohol and drug problems. Programming for these inmates is necessary to help ensure their successful reentry into society."

"Instead of cutting residential substance abuse treatment grants, we should be promoting their success, supporting continuation and fostering their growth," the governor said.

Crawford said 1,500 inmates have taken part in these programs in Southern and Northern Nevada. She said funds from the inmate welfare money are used to match the federal grant.

"There is no (state) general fund," she said.

She said drug and alcohol rehabilitation money is awarded to other agencies but this is the only direct appropriation to the prisons.

Crawford said a lot of effort is placed on stopping the supply of drugs but more emphasis should be placed on reducing the demand.

She said many of the violent convicts and gang members are doing time in prison because of drugs.