collaboration with the pennsylvania commission on crime and delinquency

"Instead of incarceration they should focus on the problems that led to the addiction. Instead of taking license should find other ways of punishment because they want you to attend meetings and therapy and get in work force but if you can't drive then it makes it hard if u live in suburban areas where public transportation isn't available so then u drive and get caught then have to serve more time and further loss of license. Vicious cycle that isn't effective. So when ppl are released they can't drive to make living so turn to theft and drugs again.”

“Treat the patient and help them get to the root of why the drink or drug. Jail will not work. Institutions don’t work. It’s death or treatment that starts with trauma and history.”

“I think that they could help rehabilitate that individual instead of having them incarcerated and awaiting rehabilitation because you don’t receive the treatment and benefits in a jail cell that you would in a treatment program.”

“I believe there should be more treatment available rather than jail time. The root of the issues to why people take drugs in the first place is not being addressed and therefore cannot be resolved or helped properly.”

“Harm reduction programs should be expanded, overdose medication should be readily available and educate the public about it. Treatment for those with addiction issues not jail. Programs to strengthen the family, the opportunities for jobs, and the rewards of being clean. Dont make their life so impossible that being clean doesnt even matter because their situation is hopeless.”

“Meet people where they are at.. I also believe when people go to jail and do their time they should not come out to no resources and have to wear a Scarlet letter on their shirt.. meaning inability to vote, loss of license, unreasonable fines, less job opportunities. I also believe in housing first initiative. Having lived experience of severe chronic addiction and homelessness people should be taught that it is not a moral failing and treat people without the word "tough love" ... I also believe in SOS sites so people will not go and die in abandoned houses and have access to help and support.”

“They could help them by not shoving them in a jail cell and getting them some help that they need. A stable place to live and a job. Most people turn back to drugs because they have lost everything and can’t get a job after being incarcerated.”

“Increased access to the diversion programs they could expand the availability of the programs. Improved treatment options while in jail ensuring that they are given access to comprehensive evidence-based treatment services not limited to just medication assisted treatment with also counseling and support services. There needs to be better re-entry and aftercare after they're released. Most times you're just thrown out onto the street after you released with nothing no treatment no services nothing. There needs to be in Needle exchange programs overdose prevention education there needs to be better funding and resources for treatment and prevention of substance abuse. I think the key needs to be to shift the focus away from punitive punishments to rehabilitation.”

“We should approach the problem from a preventative, and root cause perspective. Housing, healthcare, and employment are all elements of life that support healthy lifestyles and healthy coping. The criminal justice system should work to decrease the destabilizing effect of the system on incarcerated, prosecuted, and arrested people.”

“Pennsylvania's criminal justice system has a significant opportunity to better support individuals struggling with drugs and alcohol by prioritizing community-based treatment over incarceration. Treating individuals in jails and prisons, while important, is not the gold standard. Effective care should be accessible in the community, where individuals can receive comprehensive services such as counseling, peer support, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and access to ongoing recovery resources—without the stigma or limitations associated with incarceration. The system can further support recovery by expanding diversion programs like drug courts, which focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.”

“More diversion court acceptances. If the criminal justice system presented opportunities for treatment that didn't result in additional consequences if unsuccessful, I believe more people would be helped. People have to choose between maintaining their housing/feeding their family or complying with IOP in order to get a better plea. Educating EVERYONE in the criminal justice system about the reality of addiction, availability of services, and county specific issues (poverty, housing, etc.) would be helpful.  If a poorer person is struggling with drugs/alcohol the system is against them. If a person has a D/A evaluation while incarcerated and it recommends inpatient, they should have that opportunity.”