Topic: Economy & Stimulus / More creative savings in KDOC. This time a new bill passed for addicts.

Just read an recent article on the examiner.com that said as of
March 5th both the House & Senate have passed a bill allowing
shorter sentences to Kentucky addicts who agree to complete drug
treatment. Curious to know what everyone else thinks or if
anyone knows other states taking similar steps?


The bill requires local jails to screen felony offenders during
intake to determine treatment needs. Outpatient treatment can be
ordered by the judge during the prelim hearing or more serious
addicts can voluntarily check-in at a secure DOC-run inpatient
treatment facility for 90 days to 6 months.


Savings reported: According to the examiner and the Kentucky
Department of Corrections, “the estimated cost to operate a
facility as described in this bill is based on current costs for
substance abuse treatment. At an average daily rate of $31.94,
the estimated annual cost to treat 200 individuals per this bill
would be $2,331,255. By comparison, the average per diem cost
for incarceration is $52.14 or $19,030.70 annually. Total annual
cost to incarcerate 200 individuals is approximately $3,806,040;
a difference of $1,474,885.”


The article goes on to say that “After 18 months to 2 years in
another supervised setting like a halfway house or home
incarceration those who are treated in the minimum security
facility could have their charges diverted or dismissed if
treatment is successful.”


Support: Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Senate Majority Floor
Leader Dan Kelly (R. Springfield), and Sen. Minority Floor
Leader Ed Worley (D. Richmond).


Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-3747-Louisville-City-Hall-Examiner~y2009m3d4-Kentucky-House-passes-substance-abuse-recovery-bill

Topic: Economy & Stimulus / Smart '09 Budget Moves in Corrections

Smart ’09 Budget Moves in Corrections:

KDOC Continues to Reap Benefit of eLearning

March 4, 2009. According to The Kentucky Department of Corrections, for the past five years they have sustained a 60% savings off their annual training budget as the result of a smart, measurable training strategy engineered by CorrectionsMedia, the industry’s elearning leader and creators of Corrections.com.

In 2004, under the leadership of former Commissioner John D. Rees, The Kentucky Department of Corrections teamed with CorrectionsMedia who blueprinted the re-engineering of their staff training including the implementation of Crimcast, a robust eLearning solution that empowers KYDOC training staff to load, launch and manage both online and offline training inventory. Crimcast also provides an employee training records management module.

“They [Corrections.com] know corrections, technology and online training better than anyone else in this industry and as a result they systematically more than doubled our original cost savings projections,” LaDonna Thompson, Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Corrections. “The CorrectionsMedia team and their creative media & technology solutions is an invaluable asset in this climate where we are all seeking to operate smarter, leaner and faster.”

The solution is so successful that it is quickly expanding throughout Kentucky county jailers as well.

“Their IT plan was spot on and their Crimcast eLearning software has empowered my trainers,” said Chris Kleymeyer, Director of Training for the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

“We simply can’t imagine operating in this economy without it.”

For more information contact:

Chris Kleymeyer
Kentucky Department of Corrections
chris.kleymeyer@ky.gov

or

Joe Noonan
Corrections.com
jsnoonan@corrections.com