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July 1, 2002 VERGE APPOINTED TO STATE PANEL TO ADDRESS FUNDING FOR DRUG TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS SKAGIT COUNTY
- Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Verge was recently appointed
as the "The new bill restructures the way we deal with drug offenders," said Verge. The new bill focuses on treatment for non-violent offenders by reducing the length of some sentences for drug offenders and using the savings from the shortened prison sentences to pay for treatment of other non-violent drug and property offenders. Since 1987 the length of sentences for drug offenders has increased dramatically, at a significant cost to the State of Washington and to county governments. Convicted felons who qualify for treatment must have no prior nor currently charged sex offenses or serious violent offenses. The changes apply only to crimes committed after July 1, 2002. The prison cost savings from the sentence reductions will be calculated by the State and the savings will be split, with 25% going to the Washington State Department of Corrections for treatment inside the prison walls, and 75% going to the County criminal justice accounts for treatment in the local communities. The Counties are expected to receive up to $8.25 million statewide on an annual basis. "This is a change in the way we deal with drug and non-violent property offenders. It is a creative way to try and break the cycle of crime/drugs, drugs, and more crime/more drugs. As a community we need to keep looking for more ways to fight crime. This is one of those ways. With my appointment to this panel we can keep a closer eye on how and if it works in our community. I'm optimistic, but we have to wait and see if it works as predicted," explained Verge. Skagit County Superior Court Judge John Meyer was also appointed to the panel.
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