Day 41 is Tackling Addiction in Texas

Texas taxpayers spend more than $52 million annually on incarcerating individuals for drug-related charges.

Within Texas, there are various treatment programs offered with the aim of decreasing repeat offenses, such as S.A.F.P.F.

Participants struggle to complete these programs for various practical and logistical reasons.

Caring support from Day 41 helps retuning citizens become contributing members of society.

With your generous contribution, we are able to empower individuals, restore families, and build safer communities.

One of the most effective ways for a Texas resident to help alleviate the issues of drug abuse, crime, and poverty in 2024 is by offering assistance and reentry support to individuals in recovery from addiction. Texas currently holds the highest number of inmates in the country, with 133,772 people behind bars. Let's examine the issue and the proposed solution for Day 41. Please think about how you can be part of our efforts to lower reoffending rates.

Drug abuse plays a major role in the high rates of incarceration in Texas. Specifically, in 2022, a total of 78,896 adults were arrested for drug offenses, and 6,384 juveniles were sent to the justice system, as reported by The State of Texas Legislative Budget Board. Of those initially convicted on drug charges and subsequently released from prison, 19% end up back behind bars within three years. This statistic highlights a fraction of a larger issue: numerous individuals struggle to access the necessary support and resources to overcome addiction and succeed following their release.

However, Day 41 works with each client we serve to address their needs, challenges, and concerns as they break the cycle of prison, addiction, and poverty.

 

 Drug-related charges costing Texas taxpayers?

In Texas, the average daily cost to the state for incarceration is $77.49 per person -- and for state jail substance abuse programs, the price is an average of $9.07 extra per person, according to the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Uniform Cost Report from Fiscal year 2021 to 2022, for the reported 1,649 individuals incarcerated and receiving treatment for drug-related charges, that equals over $52 million in cost to taxpayers per year.

 How is Texas reducing recidivism rates for people with an addiction?

The state’s approach to criminal justice, which prioritizes punishment and incarceration, has resulted in a significant number of individuals being housed in its prisons. However, it is essential to note that efforts are being made to address this issue. Texas has implemented criminal justice reforms, and initiatives focused on diversion programs, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism rates.”

The state of Texas provides multiple rehabilitation programs, including The Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) / In-Prison Therapeutic Community (IPTC), the Pre-Release Substance Abuse Program (PRSAP), the Pre-Release Therapeutic Community (PRTC), and the Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF).

What is the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) Program?

The SAFPF treatment program is a probation program involving intense outpatient counseling and group therapy sessions. The goal of this program is to help participants learn the tools of sobriety and avoid relapse and recidivism. The multi-step process includes:

Six to nine months of in-prison treatment

12-15 months of mandated support groups

12-15 months of community supervision (probation)

 This rigorous program is designed to equip individuals to live a drug-free life upon completion. Graduating from this program represents tremendous discipline and dedication, as well as overcoming various obstacles to stop the revolving door of incarceration.

Challenges in Completing the SAFPF Program

The SAFPF program benefits individuals, their families, and the community. However, participants face significant challenges in completing the program. After exiting the in-prison treatment program and completing the residential aftercare portion, participants must:

Attend mandated group sessions 3x per week. They schedule their lives around this.

Get a phone and call a designated line every day. They must report to court for a test if their color is selected.

Attend court check-ins as required. They cannot miss, or they cannot graduate.

Get an ID and other documentation so they can work.

Secure a job with a schedule that works with the mandated sessions.

Find reliable transportation to group, court, and work.

Secure housing that is safe and affordable.

Manage stress in healthy ways without relapsing.

Avoid old patterns of survival that led to incarceration in the first place.

As you can imagine, completing the program without support is difficult for many people. That’s why Day 41 provided support services for SAFPF program participants. It aligns with our reduced recidivism mission: empowering individuals, restoring families, and creating safer communities.

 

What is the best way to reduce recidivism in Texas?

To address this critical issue, please consider financially supporting Day 41 reentry home to continue expanding our reentry services and recovery support. Because of donors' faithful and generous support, our clients maintain a recidivism rate below the national average.

Further, our clients become productive members of society rather than returning to incarceration, which further drains taxpayer resources.

Finding transportation and employment is another critical need for men and women to have the ability to stay out of prison and become stable. By donating to Day 41, you help us continue our fruitful work of equipping recovering people with an addiction for a second chance upon reentry. Please consider becoming a monthly donor to help us empower individuals, restore families, and create safer communities.

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