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Sheriff David Reynolds and Porter-Starke
Counseling Center President Dave Lomaka
Outgoing sheriff honored for drug treatment efforts
VALPARAISO: Substance abuse program cut number of
re-offenders
BY KEN KOSKY
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Monday, October
16, 2006 12:11 AM CDT
VALPARAISO | Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds
received some criticism when he made the decision to
focus on rehabilitating jail inmates rather than
just letting them sit around their cells.
Reynolds, who helped turn Porter County Jail's
substance abuse education program into one of the
most respected jail education programs in the state,
was honored at Wednesday's ceremony to honor the
inmates graduating from the most recent substance
abuse class.
The graduation will be the last one Reynolds will
attend as sheriff, since his eight years as sheriff
will end Dec. 31.
Reynolds received a clock with a plaque on it from
Porter-Starke counseling center President and CEO
Dave Lomaka.
Studies show a high percentage of jail inmates have
substance abuse issues and that 60 percent to 70
percent of inmates re-offend after being released
from jail. Porter County cut that failure rate in
half by giving its inmates the tools they need to
set out on the road to avoiding drugs and alcohol,
according to jail counselors.
Lomaka, in presenting Reynolds his award, said the
success is tied to Reynolds' vision.
"It means a lot to me," Reynolds said. "This program
will keep going after I leave."
The program has had 688 graduates in the past four
years. |
