Lebanon County, just east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has reached the end of a pilot alternative-sentencing program. Judicial officials involved with the drunk driving alternative-sentencing program spoke before the county commissioners in support of the program.

The program began in 2008 with a $428,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The grant helped to fund the salaries of the program director and two case managers, all of whom were working within the Lebanon County Adult Probation Department.

The program was developed for non-violent individuals with a history drunk driving offenses involving high levels of intoxication. Instead of imposing a 90-day jail sentence, the participants agree to two years of the alternative sentence program. Program participants began with house arrest. Intensive counseling and treatment are also important parts of the program.

The first class of 39 program participants graduated this past May. The number of participants successfully completely the program was 34, or 87%. Those that did not graduate did not reoffend on drunk driving charges, but they violated the terms of the program in some way that prevented them from graduating.

Participants reported that appreciated the program. Many would not have received counseling or treatment without the alternative-sentencing program. Program coordinators have received a lot of positive feedback from participants. Some have even credited the alternative-sentencing program with saving their lives.

The program expires at the end of September, though there is enough income from participant fees to operate for six more months. County commissioners have approved the request to continue the program.

Source: Lebanon Daily News, "DUI program proves a success," John Latimer, September 19, 2011