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Local News

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WORTH Center in Lima an alternative to prison
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

LIMA -- At the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation Center in Lima, there are people who can't count on two hands how many times they've been behind bars.

Many have children. Some were offered scholarships to play sports in college. And an overwhelming majority suffer from drug or alcohol addiction.

The center is used by courts in Hancock, Putnam, Hardin, Allen and five other counties, as well as other counties if space permits.

Funded by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, it serves as an alternative to prison and can also be an intermediate stop for people coming out of prison.

Both men and women are there, typically, for four to six months.

During their stay, they work toward getting their high school diploma, apply for college, learn life skills, get drug and alcohol abuse treatment, take anger management courses, complete community service, and participate in classes seeking to alter the way of thinking that caused them to commit crimes.

Schedules are strict. Offenders wake up early and have a day packed with treatment and education.

"We want to bombard them with treatment. Repetition is key to making changes," Director Sandy Monfort said.

They stay in dorm-style rooms, each person with their own bed and locker. There are common rooms for studying, computer labs, medical rooms, recreation areas, classrooms and a cafeteria.

"It's got everything to offer me. I just have to put it to use," said Manuel Alfaro, 30, of Belmore, a father of four who was convicted in Putnam County of trafficking in drugs, among other charges.

Rebecca Lozier, 20, of Kenton, was enrolled after battling heroin addiction for a year and a half. Her addiction led to felony charges of stealing from the elderly, complicity to trafficking in heroin, and complicity to commit burglary in Hardin County.

"It's made me take a look at my life and dig deep," she said. "I have lost too much to go back to my old ways."

James Ramsey, 45, of Findlay, has spent time in prison and at the center after being convicted of charges in connection with a 2007 drug ring in Hancock County.

"It's more relaxed (than prison). You don't have to be looking over your shoulder and wondering about what is coming later in the day," he said.

"The program doesn't treat you like a felon," he said.

Online:

www.worthcenter.net



Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Jodie Spratt wrote:
spot light on addiction
“ I hope that everyone read the series on addictions that was written by Jordan Cravens, I am grateful that she put in the courier and brought light to this growing problem not just in findlay, but all across america. I am grateful for all the comments positive and negitive, that means people were paying attention to what was being written, and my hope is that more involvement gets put into place for the addicts and the familys, from my point of view, and having lost a family member to this cruel addition, it may help some other family, so to Jordan and the staff of the couirer thank you. ”
Sunday, August 01, 2010 6:50:44 PM
Patrick wrote:
Dear Joe
“ Your statements about WORTH are false and misleading. There are concerns about programing at several of the facilities in the state. It was not threatened to be closed, corrections are being suggested at a state level. As far as you knowing people who commit crimes on a regular basis, perhaps you should look at your friends and not the program. No program can help someone who is not willing to change. ”
Thursday, July 29, 2010 10:58:12 AM
joe blow wrote:
worth center
“ more like worthless center, this place has been on the list of worst run facilities in the state and threatened to be shut down. i'd like to know the number of people who go there only to return to their life of crime and drug addiction. it took the person i know 3 weeks to return to jail. apparently the worthless center doesn't teach much. maybe if the economy gets much worse, i'll start a life of crime so i can be sent there and live that life of luxury without having to pay a dime. ”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:27:02 PM
Jamie Culp wrote:
W.O.R.T.H.
“ I actually have something to say about this. I find it very odd that the article doesn't talk about the relapse rate of former center residents. It's surprisingly high. This isn't due however to the center's curriculum (which from a behavioral modification standpoint, is quite good), but because the time they have in the center is so short.

I realize the article was meant to place the W.O.R.T.H. center in a possitive light, because it at least gives some people hope. I just feel this article was a missed opportunity,and was written by someone who doesn't really grasp the massive hurdles but in place by the justice system for drug addicts to recover in the most effective way possible.

I remember speaking to one of the caseworkers some years ago about why they can't keep inmates longer since the recovery process for most addicts isn't even full force until after 2 years of sobriety. She told me that law (and funding issues) prevents them from holding people for that time. It seems to me if the the Dept. of Corrections (and the judical system) was interested in keeping the rate of recidivism low then this wouldn't be an issue at all. So when you look at it that way, the W.O.R.T.H. center is really just the best of a lot of really sub-par options. ”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:48:17 AM
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Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

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Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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