Giles introduces substance abuse bill for inmates

Giles introduces substance abuse bill for inmates

Under new legislation, substance abusers who have been convicted of a drug-related offense and are incarcerated-will be mandated to enroll in a treatment program before they can receive good conduct credit, thanks to state Rep. Calvin Giles (D-8th), who said they must take responsibility for their addictions.

"Before a prisoner can begin to accumulate good conduct credit, it is critical they address and take responsibility for their addiction," Giles said, explaining how current law provides that a prisoner who is serving a sentence receives one day of good credit for each day of incarceration and how they may be eligible for additional good conduct credit as the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) deems proper.

Giles' bill would prevent an inmate from receiving good credit until completion of a substance abuse program when the prisoner's crime was committed as a result of alcohol or controlled substance use, abuse or addiction.

Should the inmate complete the program, the Department of Corrections would award good conduct for the time spent in the treatment program.

"This legislation is both correctional and prevention," Giles said. "It mandates that prisoners receive treatment for their addiction while they are institutionalized and equips them with the tools they need to lead a substancefree life following their release from prison."

The House also passed Rep. Karen Yarbrough's (D-Maywood) identification for ex-offenders bill she says is needed to help them gain employment and improve the quality of their lives upon release.

Yarbrough's legislation passed the House State Government Administration Committee and requires the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to issue ID cards to ex-offenders who are leaving prison. It would also authorize them to exchange the ID cards for standard State of Illinois identification.

"It is unfortunate that those leaving prison are often left without the initial form of identification needed to obtain a Social Security Card, Birth Certificate and other important documentation needed to secure employment," she stated.

Referring to HB-2011, she added, "If enacted, this measure would provide ex-offenders with a solid first step to being a productive member of society."

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.