April 15, 2021

To: Members of the Joint Finance Committee

In his biennial budget request Governor Evers called for an additional $15 million in the second year for Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD). These programs currently provide treatment options as an alternative to incarceration for individuals in 53 Wisconsin counties and three tribal jurisdictions. This proposed expansion of the TAD programs will contribute to public safety while substantially reducing the state's court and incarceration expenditures. We urge you to retain in the budget the proposed funding increase, combined with the added flexibility given to local communities in administering the funds.

From their beginning in 2005, the evidence-based programs that receive TAD funds have been shown to reduce incarceration and prevent re-offending and, consequently, have had broad bipartisan support. The most recent evaluation, conducted by the Wisconsin State Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, covered the 6,125 people who participated in TAD programs over the five-year period 2014 to 2018. That evaluation found that 56% of program participants successfully completed treatment and avoided incarceration and were subsequently less likely to re-offend. It estimated that for every dollar spent on drug treatment alternatives, the state saved $4.17 in reduced incarceration and court expenditures. The cost-benefit ratio for diversion programs, which have fewer court appearances and participant needs, was even more favorable, with the state saving $8.68 for each dollar spent.

Substantial as these savings are, they can be increased by expanding TAD funding and loosening the restrictions on program participation. As currently implemented, TAD programs are available only to individuals with underlying drug addiction issues. By allowing counties to compete for up to $1 million in funding for mental health treatment courts, as the Governor's budget request provides, we can provide additional treatment options and avoid incarcerating Wisconsin citizens experiencing mental health problems.

The proposed expansion of TAD programming will contribute both to public safety and to a more cost-effective criminal justice system. As signatories to this letter, we respectfully request that it be retained in the biennial budget.

From the following religious, organizational, and community leaders of Wisconsin: