1. I currently work as a correction officer in a very small county jail in Tennessee. Some of the issues we have at the moment that really concerns me, besides the substance abuse problem, is when we get someone in that has mental health issues. When we get someone with mental health issues we place them into a small cell, take their clothing, and dress them in a turtle suit aka a suicide suit, and if they become combative or kept trying to hurt themselves we place them in the restraint chair. this past weekend I worked and had a Veteran brought in on a VOP charge. When trying to get him changed out and placed into a cell, he kept stating "They said I can't put that on, or They said I can't go in that sell " This has really bothered me. he was placed in the restraint chair and he just sat there slumped over, the mental health system we use was not going to be called until Monday. When I left work Monday morning he was in a cell but his mental state still wasn't the best. There needs to be more done for these types of situations, inmates, Vets. #2.A strength I have seen more recently is the addition of drug courts operating in many states. This offers an alternative to incarceration for drug abuse offenders and reduces the cost of constantly sending low level nonviolent offenders through the justice system. Another strength is that the justice system is now recognizing and regarding drug abuse as a potential disease. A condition of probation and plea agreements are often for the offender to get medical treatment through a rehabilitation program. Through court ordered recommendations and drug testing provided by probation agencies, the offender can get clean and make changes. This gives the offender an opportunity to seek counseling and address underlying issues they may have. Weaknesses regarding drug abuse offenders: Prisons are already over crowed, mainly with offenders who have committed drug related crimes. They are not offered the chance or same benefits as current drug offenders are now being given. According to the Prison Policy Initiative press release, 191,00 inmates currently serving time in state prisons are locked up due to a drug offense, 45,000 of those being drug possession. 1 in 5 of every incarcerated individual is there for a drug offense. Another weakness I see is the intake process when drug abusers are taken into custody. This is particularly a problem in areas where there is a lack of funding to provide medically trained staff. Many drug abuse offenders are coming down from a high or go through withdraws after arrested, which can be extremely dangerous. At intake the staff may just ask questions to determine if an offender is under the influence of drugs and not really have a clear picture. If they are determined to be on drugs they are placed in a solitary cell for observation as they “come down” from their high. Many times, abrupt drug withdrawal symptoms persist and can be dangerous or even deadly. Strengths changing the experience The introduction and implementation of drug courts not only saves money, but also helps in true rehabilitation of the offender. Jail or prison should be reserved for more severe crimes and violent offenders. Drug courts and court ordered treatment gives offenders a second to look at their issues and get to the root problem of why they may be using drugs. Many individuals simply have an addiction problem, are not a threat to the community, and need help.