Requesting Rehabilitation Over Incarceration to Fix Failing Justice System

Rehabilitation vs. Incarceration.
The United States criminal justice system is plagued with corruption and injustice on all fronts. My name is Sedrick Washington and I am from St Petersburg, Florida. I was sentenced to life in prison by the Sixth Judicial District of court. I am one of many victims suffering in bondage from this corrupt system that we rely on to administer justice.
On February 3rd, 2004, I was evaluated by a licensed psychologist, Ms. Valerie McClain, PsyD (#py005178) to determine mitigation factors for sentencing and the appropriateness for a dual diagnosis treatment program. Due to my long-standing history of mental health problems, which I have received no treatment for, and my long-standing history of substance abuse, Ms. McClain's expert opinion determined that I was a good candidate for an intensive residential dual diagnosis treatment program such as PAR. By participating in a residential treatment, it would have been possible for me to undergo the needed treatment for my mental health problems, including medication management treatment for my substance abuse problem. Disturbingly, the court disregards this highly professional doctor's evaluation and the Courts chose incarceration instead of rehabilitation, sentencing me to a natural life sentence of 30 years.
Research has found that sending offenders with a history of drug and alcohol abuse to addiction treatment programs rather than institutionalizing them in jail or prison is not only the humanitarian choice, but it will cut crime rates and save billions of dollars (Zarkin, G., Cowell, A., Hicks, K., et al., 2015). When the federal government has a debt in the trillions, it seems unprincipled to ignore the benefits and cost savings of helping people get the medical care they need rather than incarceration that will only worsen society as a whole. (Gary Zarkin, Ph.D.)
Compared to other countries, when faced with a rising drug crime or seemingly intractable rates of drug abuse and drug addiction the United States’ Criminal Justice System tends exercise the “Tough on Crime approach”. This method continues to prevent our correctional system from focusing on drug treatment prevention, education, or economic investment in crime-ridden communities (The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander). For example, Portugal responded to the persistent problem of drug addiction and abuse by decriminalizing the possession of all drugs and redirecting the money that would have been spent putting drug users in cages into drug treatment and prevention. Ten years later, Portugal reported that rates of drug abuse and addiction have plummeted, and drug-related crime was on the decline as well. (Benavides, E. 2011)
Drug treatment is less expensive than incarceration. The cost of incarceration decreases because those receiving help is less likely to commit crimes or be arrested again. Let's talk numbers; if 10% of drug-addicted offenders received drug rehabilitation instead of jail time, the criminal justice system would save over $4 billion compared to current costs. That means if 40% of addicted offenders received treatment instead of jail, the criminal justice system would save $16 billion.

In conclusion, the United States Justice System is failing its citizens. This behavior of "Power" is working cooperatively together to reassure that the system fails to protect their investments. In turn, choosing incarceration instead of rehabilitation. This Injustice, all injustice, must be corrected instead of overlook so that Americans, like myself, get justice as this nation's pledge of allegiance promises each citizen.