Budgetary Cuts Could Impact Prison Alcohol Treatment Programs for DWI Offenders in Texas – Houston Criminal Defense Lawyers
Texas is looking at a massive $18 billion budget shortfall next year. That deficit will have to be made up for by slashing funds to other programs and facilities. There is speculation that alcohol treatment programs for prisoners arrested for DWI offenses could likely have funding cut as part of these measures. As Houston DWI lawyers, we strongly believe this is a bad idea.
The issue of prison alcohol treatment programs was in the spotlight this month after a repeat DWI offender killed two people in a drunk driving accident. The intoxicated motorist John Patrick Barton, had spent much of his prison time idling around, not receiving the kind of alcohol treatment he needed. He had twice spent time in prison for drunk driving, and not received any treatment for his addiction. Not surprisingly, he got out of prison and back into his car, this time with deadly consequences.
Legislators voted to increase spending for prison treatment programs this year, increasing it to $97 million from $36 million in 2007. If the government decides to reduce funding for the program, it would undo a lot of the good work that has already been done in this area. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the increased funding this year for prisoner treatment programs has had a great impact. When the program began, there were estimates that Texas prisons could be overflowing by more than 10,000 prisoners. That has not happened. Because of the success of the treatment program, fewer drunk driving offenders are returning to prison.
In much of the hysteria of that surrounds drunk driving accidents, we can forget that these are people with a very serious addiction they need treatment for. Often, for most of these people, the only place where they can access such specialized treatment is in prison after they have been arrested for drunk driving. Slashing funding for these very essential programs only increases the risk that these DWI offenders will go out, and drive intoxicated again. As Houston DWI attorneys, we hope that better sense prevails and that the alcohol treatment funding remains untouched.
Texas currently leads the nation in alcohol related accidents involving death–1473 in 2008. Additionally, over 6,200 individuals are serving time for DWI related offense in Texas. A third conviction of DWI is a third degree felony offense and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DWI, intoxicated assault, intoxicated manslaughter or murder (due to an alcohol-related accident), contact the experienced DWI lawyers at the Kahn Law Firm for a free consultation at 713-226-9900.
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