Variations of the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program are being tried out in Milwaukee, Dane, Rock, Wood, Burnett, and Washburn counties. Judicial Review Coordinator for Milwaukee County Holly Szablewski says the program, established in March 2007, is set up for non-violent drug offenders facing new criminal charges. Szablewski says the county has hired numerous pre-trial screeners who identify potential TAD candidates.
The offenders enter treatment either in deferred prosecution or under a diversion agreement. Deferred prosecution occurs when the charges are dropped all together. The diversion agreement involves the offender pleading guilty then conviction is held open for six months pending completion of the program.
She says there has a been success rate of 63% for those people with a deferred prosecution and a 57% success rate for offenders with a diversion agreement.
To successfully complete TAD the offender must not have re-offended as well as completed all benchmarks which may include getting a job, skill training and community service.