One of the fallacies of seeing history through the lens of Critical Race Theory is that it distorts the truly amazing elements of American history that have impacted the world. One example was our treatment of criminals.
Throughout the world, punishment for crimes was meant to be severe to discourage others who might be tempted to break the law. Pennsylvania was one of the earliest colonies to modify criminal sentences by adjusting sentences to the severity of the crimes — robbery and burglary no longer were punishable by death.
Our commonwealth was also the first to make their prisons a place where incarcerated persons would learn to show sorrow for their wrongdoing and turn to a righteous way of life, known in the Christian faith as “penitence.” Hence, these new prisons were known as “penitentiaries.”
This same spirit lives today in Lycoming County, which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Treatment Courts at a wonderful outdoor event at the South Williamsport Park Complex on Wednesday, July 26th. It was appropriate that Judge Nancy Butts served as spokesperson for the event as it all began back in 1998 when Judge Butts took on the role of initiating a Drug Court, only the fifth in the entire state. The concept was to treat the individual’s addiction issue rather than simply incarcerating them.
It was not meant to be a ‘free ride’ by any measure. Drug courts were created to get the individual free from their addiction through counseling and frequent interactions with the judge. Almost everyone who had gone through the program and spoke at the anniversary event highlighted that it was “hard work” to meet the requirements, but it was all for their good, and they were thankful for it.
Much of that ‘hard work’ also comes from those that are included in the process, such as the Lycoming County Probation Department, West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, Genesis House, Inc., and Crossroads Counseling, all located in Williamsport.
Those in the program are not sitting in prison, but it is not freedom either. As Judge Butts stated, “They’re essentially locked down, but they’re locked down at home. They can go to church or work. They can go to counseling and medical appointments. They can pay their bills to keep their house.”
One after another, the ‘graduates’ at the 25th Anniversary event spoke of the program’s impact on their lives. But perhaps the most moving of all was District Attorney Matt Gardner, who related a personal experience he had with the death of his brother-in-law in 2016 due to a drug overdose. The pain of that experience has lasted to the present day. Gardner recognized that those with addiction issues impact more than themselves and has since become a strong advocate for the Treatment Courts.
From that beginning in 1998, there are now four different branches: Drug Court, DUI Court started in 2005, Mental Health Court in 2008, and Veterans Court in 2019. If an individual has committed a crime and falls into one of these categories, they must meet certain metrics to be a candidate. But much of it falls on the individuals themselves. The process takes anywhere from a year and a half to two years to complete, and each of the three phases are celebrated. There were a number of individuals who received their first and second-stage certificates at the anniversary celebration event.
Those who still question the value of this program should be aware that the rate of recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend) is 60 to 70 percent nationally, yet in Lycoming County, it is half that number. It is hard work for everyone: the courts, the probation department, the service organizations, and, of course, those who are convicted and serving out their “time” by changing their lives to prevent making those same mistakes again. It is hard work, but it is making a difference that benefits everyone.
The difference between try and triumph is a healthy umph!
