Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2005
Source: Monroe News-Star (LA)
Copyright: 2005 The News-Star, Gannett
Contact:   http://www.thenewsstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1644
Author: T.J. Scott
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FORMER YOUTH JAIL SHIFTS FOCUS TO ADDICTION

The Steve Hoyle Rehabilitation Center in Tallulah is the latest example of 
the shift in the direction of the state Department of Public Safety and 
Corrections.

Dedicated this week, the former Swanson Youth Correctional Center is a 
long-term treatment facility for offenders with substance-abuse issues. It 
focuses particular attention on those with multiple DWI convictions.

"This new facility is a fairly unique concept in corrections, and one that 
we think will lead to lower recidivism rates and increased savings for the 
state," said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard 
Stalder.

Substance-abuse programs can be found in other institutions around the 
state, but SHRC differs in that it exclusively targets DWI offenders.

Assistant Warden Robert Rachal says that the institution is focusing on 
these offenders because they offer the best treatment and relapse 
prognosis. Because they are generally not violent, they make good 
candidates for reintegration into the community.

The program consists of nine to 24 months of intensive, individualized 
treatment based on the needs of each offender. The offender demonstrates 
competency in four phases before moving on in treatment.

Inmates spend 20-25 hours each week working on issues such as the 
psychological and educational components of addictive disorders, victim 
awareness, relapse prevention and life-skills training.

The rest of their time is allocated for work or educational endeavors, 
considered a component of the rehabilitation process.

Educational programs, including a G.E.D. preparation program, are available 
to the inmates, and there are plans to integrate vocational training in the 
future.

Dr. Susan Tucker, mental health director at SHRC, said the program's goals 
are simple.

"We are working toward long-term recovery and successful reintegration into 
the community," she said.

Participation is voluntary for the majority of the inmates. The Department 
of Corrections reviewed the offender population in both state institutions 
and local facilities who fit the profile and met program criteria. It then 
offered those inmates the opportunity to participate. In the future, 
inmates will also be able to reach the program via a number of other 
routes, including risk-review panels and recommendation.

The treatment staff assesses each candidate and selects those who are most 
likely to benefit from the services offered by the program. Participation 
in the program will not impact sentence length.

Rachal said only minor changes were necessary to upgrade the facility to 
handle adult offenders.

The largest and most noticeable was the addition of three guard towers, all 
built by inmate labor.

An inmate crew worked during the transition period to clean the facility 
and make the necessary changes. Inmate labor also contributes to 
restorative justice projects in the surrounding community.

The center houses 245 inmates in three units. As participation in the 
program increases, pre-existing dormitory-style housing will be used.

The center also serves as a training facility for correctional officers in 
northeastern Louisiana. Officers must complete an intensive two-week 
training session before they are allowed to assume duty at any state 
correctional facility.

Part of the school building was converted for the training facility, and 
prospective officers are housed in the similar dormitories that eventually 
will be used for offenders.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom