UNDATED — Alternatives to jail for non-violent offenders are saving counties money. Union/Snyder County Judge Michael Sholley says providing alternatives, such as treatment courts, community service, work release or electronic monitoring can help rehab non-violent offenders, while keeping costs lower.
Sholley says, “What we have learned to use jail for is a short term sanction. Long term effects of jail, beyond 7-10 days, lose its effectiveness, but a short term sanction of three, five or seven days, can have a tremendous effect. We use the short term sanction and then left people out, giving them the tools and assistance to address their issues and move forward with their life.”
Sholley says alternative methods cost less, for example, electronic monitoring is $11 day, as opposed to $72 a day to incarcerate someone, “What we have done by using these different methods in Union County is reducing our county prison population by about 40% in the last two years. That has resulted in saving of nearly a half-million dollars a year to Union County.”
Sholley spoke recently at the annual meeting of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, where he also touted the success of the treatment courts in Snyder and Union County. He says the court is built on a “rock solid foundation,” and it continues to positively affect lives. (Sara Bartlett)