Section 28.23 Long-Term Substance Abuse Addiction Program

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

A. (§28.23) Long-Term Substance Abuse Addiction Program

The stated purpose of the long-term substance abuse addiction program is to reduce relapse, reduce local and state prison overcrowding, and enforce treatment in the least restrictive setting. The program is presently open to adults, male or female, who are “chronic nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse addictions who have not pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a dangerous felony as defined in section 556.061, RSMo.” Section 217.362.1, RSMo Supp. 2004.

The program involves assessment and treatment of substance abuse. Referrals to this program must be made by the court upon recommendation by the Board. The Department of Corrections (DOC) determines the “nature, intensity, duration, and completion criteria of the education, treatment, and aftercare portion” of the program. Section 217.362.2.

If an offender is eligible and space is available, the court may sentence the offender to this program, which must consist of institutional drug or alcohol treatment for 12 to 24 months in addition to a term of incarceration. Id.

Execution of the offender’s term of incarceration shall be suspended pending completion of the program. Section 217.362.3. Therefore, the offender is sentenced to...