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Program graduates, defense attorney urge commissioners to preserve CAST treatment program amid budget cuts
Summary
Participants in the CAST (court-assisted supervised treatment) program and a criminal defense attorney told Fremont County commissioners that cutting the program would increase incarceration and costs; the county discussed options but did not vote on funding.
Former CAST participants, program staff and local criminal defense counsel urged Fremont County commissioners not to cut the county's funding for the CAST program, saying the program reduces incarceration and saves money.
Joe Adderall (identified in public comment as a CAST graduate) and Steve Dickinson described the program as life-changing; Adderall said, “I wouldn't be alive today if there wasn't for the CAST program,” and credited the program with teaching accountability. Jonathan Gerard, a criminal defense attorney who said he acts as defense counsel for CAST participants, provided cost figures and court context: “The cost to the county, I think the budget is somewhere around $250,000. It gets dollar-for-dollar match from grants. The cost of incarceration is $95 a day in the detention center and around $130 a day in the Department of Corrections. That adds up to roughly $35,000 per inmate per year in the detention center and $47,450 in the department of corrections.” He warned that cutting CAST would remove sentencing alternatives judges currently use and would likely increase jail and prison populations.
Why it matters: Speakers said CAST offers a sentencing alternative for nonviolent drug offenders that reduces re-incarceration and connects participants to treatment. Commissioners heard arguments that the county's investment in CAST may offset larger incarceration costs, and multiple speakers asked commissioners to weigh cost comparisons before eliminating funding.
What commissioners said and next steps: Commissioners heard public testimony but made no formal funding decision during the meeting. Members suggested reviewing program numbers, possible grant matches and budget options. Several commissioners said they wanted more information from county staff, the courts and budget officers before taking action.
Clarifying details: Public commenters identified CAST as a court-referred, supervised treatment program (the transcript described it variously as “court assisted supervised treatment” and “core assisted supervised treatment”). Multiple speakers said judges use CAST as an alternative for nonviolent drug offenders. Jonathan Gerard provided the cost figures above and said 85% of people booked into the detention center are under the influence of alcohol or drugs (as stated in his remarks). Speakers noted that the county budget contribution is supplemented by grant funding.
What to watch for: Commissioners indicated they will seek specific financial comparisons and program metrics and will revisit budget decisions in later meetings.
