PUTNAM
COUNTY — As reported in The Sentinel last April, a pilot initiative
begun in 2016 to reduce the number of inmates sent to Ohio State prisons
for one year or less has proved successful enough to be expanded
statewide on a voluntary basis. Beginning in July of 2018, Putnam County
took advantage of the funding provided by the state to initiate its own
version of the program. Called the Targeted Community Alternatives to
Prison (T-CAP), the program aims, “…to support the best practice of
providing local, community treatment for low-level offenders that is
more effective and less costly for taxpayers,” according to details
provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
A
major part of the initiative locally is the use of a relatively new
device calls PassPoint. This is an eye scanning machine along with an
attached breathalyzer that quickly determines if a person has recently
consumed alcohol or used an illicit drug. When installed at the end of
last June for the program’s kickoff in July, officials expressed hope
that the additional accountability provided by the machine, along with
quicker intervention by medical professionals, would prove effective in
combating illicit drugs, particularly opioids.
When speaking then
with Common Pleas Judge Keith Schierloh, who worked to bring the program
to Putnam County, he thought it would take roughly six months to know
if the program was having any initial success. As it’s now been just
over six months, the Sentinel met again with Schierloh to learn how things have been working.
“It’s
going well,” he began “Clearly, it’s working from the perspective of
giving me insight on an individual’s accountability…[their being] able
to say, ‘I’m going to do a good job on community control,’ or not.”
“And,
that’s really where you can look at some of these things. Because if an
individual is willing to step up and be accountable on day one, the
success rate down the road is going to be a lot better. And, if it’s
not, we need to focus on, ‘Why is it not?’ It gives us another avenue to
look at an individual and say, ‘What do we need to be doing for them?’ ”
This
sentiment was reflected by Elaine Kiene, Clinical Director with
Pathways Counseling Center. As part of this program she is able to
initiate drug treatment while a person (who would otherwise be in state
prison) is in the county jail.
“I think it’s important to get it
started,” she says. “Then there’s no excuse for when they get out, not
to continue with services.”
Through an interactive setup,
primarily using a webcam, tablet and microphone, county inmates are able
to meet with a psychiatrist. This means, should they meet the criteria,
inmates with opioid addictions can receive medication assisted
treatment.
“First of all,” continues Kiene, “They’re screened by
one of our clinicians to see if they’re even appropriate [for in-jail
treatment]. They have to go through that process to be [determined]
appropriate and willing to participate initially.”
That
willingness to participate remains an important aspect, and seems part
of what Schierloh means by the PassPoint system providing
accountability. “… [I]f an individual comes in to court. Says, ‘Yes, I
understand that I’ve tested dirty along the way. But, I’ve also done
[positive things]. I’m trying to do some treatment. I’m trying to do
some other aspects.’ You would at least know that they’re sincere…,”
says Schierloh.
“Some individuals, and we’ve had ‘em, we’ve had
individuals that will continue to use. [They’ll] get tested, and
continue to get [flagged]. So, we’ve had a couple of people who have
used, and so we’ve said, ‘Well, your options are, either you’re going to
go into inpatient treatment. Because clearly you cannot do it on your
own. Or, locked up.” Adding, “I’m talking about after a clean screen.”
Kiene
was also asked about these twists and turns with the inmates whose
treatment she facilitates. “There’s always surprises when you deal with
people, right?” she responds. “We have to be flexible. We revisit it,
and tweak it. We have a point person in the jail to help coordinate with
Pathways while they’re there, in addition to the connection we have to
make here as far as the tele-med doctor, and schedules, those kind of
things.”
While speaking broadly about the individuals who find
themselves participating in the program, it’s still important to focus
on results in these brief months. As Schierloh said, the participation
numbers aren’t quite where they need to be to provide a data driven
analysis. However, an anecdotal one is available from those who see
these inmates up close.
“It’s going very well.” Sheriff Brian
Siefker says when speaking on the program. “I think Judge Schierloh is
making people be accountable with this program. We’ve had some people,
when they first come in, they test positive. Then, they realize, sooner
or later, that they’re going have to start testing clean. And, that’s
what’s happening. We’re now having more clean tests here.”
“…I
know he spent a lot of time researching this program.” Siefker
continues. “I know he talked to some other counties to see if it was
working, and how it works. He brought it to Putnam County, and I think
he’s doing a good job with it. He’s making people be accountable for
their actions.”