AUGUSTA — Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley advocated Wednesday for more diversion programs to keep drug addicts out of jail during her annual State of the Judiciary address at the State House.
Central in Saufley’s recommendations was the hiring or contracting of more case managers to help addicts accused of drug crimes navigate the judicial system and find paths to sobriety that don’t go through a jail cell.
“Well-trained case managers to guide those in recovery are critical,” Saufley said. “Individuals attempting to rise from the fog of addiction do not always exercise good judgement, and navigating the intertwined criminal justice and treatment systems can be difficult for even the healthiest of us. Case managers can be a bridge to treatment providers, can eliminate the wasted resources of missed appointments and can coordinate with treatment providers to make the necessary adjustments that assure that the plan for that individual is actually working.”
Saufley also called for more capacity at inpatient drug addiction treatment centers and suggested wider use of ankle bracelets to keep tabs on addicts in recovery — instead of in jail.
Saufley’s address came just days after she was confirmed unanimously for a second term as chief justice by the Maine Senate and sworn in by Gov. Paul LePage.
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