A number of jails across Arkansas are facing an overcrowding problem. There are only so many beds. Some counties are getting smart with drug courts, etc. But it might be time to take that idea a step further.
The papers say Sebastian County is looking at something called a "sobering center" that would divert drunk people from jails. Pick someone up for public intoxication and nothing else? Tossing them in jail to sober up is wasteful. There are better alternatives.
Sebastian County is onto something here. Having a safe facility where folks can sober up would be a good investment for taxpayers. It'd be safer for those arrested for intoxication--and ultimately be more beneficial by acting as a springboard to get arrestees the help they might desperately need to fight their additions.
Somebody we know recently said that addiction is a disease, and you don't punish those who have cancer. Addicts need help, not punishment.
When a (previously drunk) individual leaves a jail cell, all that's likely waiting for him are fines and a court date. But when he leaves a sobering center, he might have an appointment with a therapist or rehab facility that can make all the difference in his life. And isn't that a big part of the justice system? Not just punishing criminals, but helping to reshape behavior so they don't repeat the same offenses over and over? And lead to worse offenses? And more of a burden on taxpayers?
Unfortunately, it appears there's a legislative snag and questions about whether county law enforcement agencies have the legal authority to divert someone from a detention center to a sobering center. That'll need to be fixed, and we hope our betters in the Ledge take that up soonest. As in the next legislative session.
Change is possible. And a sobering center--or many sobering centers, scattered all around the state--would go a long way toward making that difference for intoxicated arrestees.
Editorial on 10/21/2019