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Wednesday, November 28, 2007
County Approves Treatment Option for First-Time DUI Offenders- Frees Up Jail Space for Other Crimes
Posted by Media Release
Today, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a motion brought forward by Commissioner David Pepper that would increase treatment options for first-time DUI offenders while freeing up jail bed space. The measure initiates action to designate the current Talbert House Reading Road facility as a minimum security correctional facility for the purpose of treating DUI offenders.
State law requires first-time, high-tier DUI offenders to serve 6 days in jail, where today there are no treatment options available. Today’s measure would allow those offenders to serve their 6 day term at a secure Talbert House facility where they would receive the necessary treatment while not taking up space at the Justice Center. This reform actually saves money for Hamilton County taxpayers. Talbert House has agreed to pay for the cost of upgrading the facility to the Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention standards, and the program requires that DUI offenders pay for their stay and treatment at the facility. (Today, taxpayers pay for the DUI offenders’ stays at the Justice Center.)
Commissioner David Pepper said “this is a common-sense change that frees up jail space, saves money, and improves the safety on our roads by getting needed treatment to first time DUI offenders.”
“This is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Talbert House President Neil Tilow.
This reform will free up to 3,000 county jail beds on an annual basis.
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29 Nov 2007 at 12:58 pm | #
What is a “high-tier” DUI offender?
29 Nov 2007 at 07:38 pm | #
This is a good piece of legislation that I think voters were expecting. 3,000 beds freed up by way of people getting treatment. Way to try and make up for passing Issue 27 without a vote…oh, that’s right, the real powerholders, the voters, vetoed that plan. If Pepper and Portune can continue to pass legislation like this and work with the public, maybe they can save their jobs.
29 Nov 2007 at 10:26 pm | #
Hi-tier = Hi-brow
30 Nov 2007 at 07:58 am | #
So turning the Talbert House into a minimum security prison, sufficient to house 3,000, with all the support services and personnel needed isn’t going to cost anything? Damn. That’s sweet.
30 Nov 2007 at 10:04 pm | #
High tier tests (over .17 BAC) will result in a combination of treatment and jail.
http://www.criminallawohio.com/dui.html
Of course, if they just raised the ridiculously low blood alcohol limits that the liars at MADD say constitute DUI, they could free up some cells, too.
01 Dec 2007 at 12:38 pm | #
Thanks, Quim. I wondered what the threshhold was.
04 Dec 2007 at 08:28 pm | #
What about passing house bill 279. This will eliminate any OVI offender from being able to drive drunk. Put ignition interlock on all OVI offenders and let them earn the right to drive on our roadways…..Better yet, let your loved one be injured or killed by a drunk driver and see how shocked you are that justice, isn’t being served. What happened to the value of human life and the fundamental right to be safe? Arrest and release-Our judical system sends a very clear message to all drunk drivers-it’s ok to drink and drive, there’s not much accountability from us and we’re going to suspend your license but guess what? You can have driving privileges.So what’s the deterent?? What realistic type of “treatment” is going to take place in 6 days? Come on society, put your thinking caps on!
10 Dec 2007 at 01:58 pm | #
So drunk drivers get treatment while pot smokers get a $250.00 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Isn’t drunk driving um… a lot more dangerous. I am all for treatment but incarerating non-violent pot smokers while giving those guilty of a DUI (something that could kill… oh I dunno, you and me) a slap on the wrist essentially is just stupid. Let’s get rid of this draconian anti-marijuana law and save more money and free up more beds.
10 Dec 2007 at 08:53 pm | #
Michael that is because pot is an illegal drug. Why do you people keep failing to miss that point? You might think that it should be legal, heck, I think it should be legal, but that doesn’t mean that it is in fact illegal.