Budget Amendment ID: FY2016-S3-669

EPS 669

Pretrial Detoxification Facility Pilot Program

Ms. Lovely, Ms. O'Connor Ives, Messrs. Tarr and McGee and Mrs. L'Italien moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, by inserting after item 8910-0619 the following item:

"xxxx-xxxx For the operations of a pretrial detoxification unit within the Middleton House of Correction. A pretrial detoxification pilot program shall be established at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department Middleton House of Correction for the purpose of the creation and operation of a detoxification facility within the existing physical facilities. The secure unit will be run by medical and substance abuse treatment professionals. Section 20B of Chapter 217 of the Massachusetts General Laws provides the sheriff with the power and discretion to assign certain detainees to a pre-trial diversion program.  The proposed target populations of our new initiative are offenders that would be eligible to be classified to a pretrial diversion program under the statute. The creation and funding of new detoxification beds may provide alternatives to addicts becoming incarcerated for longer periods of time and may provide a more stable environment for these individuals over the long term.  The pilot program will track individual offenders from the point of court order to detoxification unit through the final   disposition of the case.  The report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the number of pretrial offenders ordered to the detoxification unit; (b) the charges each offender faced; (c) the treatment received; (d) the court determination of pretrial status after initial court ordered detoxification; (e) final disposition of the mater(s) before the court; (f) the amount of time each individual was incarcerated pretrial.  This report shall be prepared and filed with house and senate committees on ways and means no later than December 15, 2016. The unit will provide substance abuse intervention, clinical treatment, and recovery support services to pretrial offenders.  A judge may order pretrial offenders who are substance-abuse impaired to be held in detoxification unit to receive treatment and to stabilize the individual.  After the initial court order to detoxification the individual will be returned to court for further determination of pretrial status…………………………………$2,000,000"