Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

Budget Cuts to End Watsonville Women's Recovery Program

WATSONVILLE, Calif. - For a quarter of a century, Watsonville' s Hermanas Residential Recovery program has been the only place in south Santa Cruz County designated for women to treat drug addiction. Now county budget cuts are certain to end it's existence, something those close Hermanas are calling an injustice to the community.

In order to save money for the county's project $25 million dollar deficit, Community Counseling Center officials expect some $300,000 will be cut from Hermanas' funding. The cut makes up more than half of the program's budget, something the 24-hour residential addiction treatment program can't survive.

"Yes we have a budget crisis going on but they're cutting in the wrong places," said Rose Chavez-George, Hermanas program director. "There's always going to be money for prisons and jails, but what about money to treatment programs."

Chavez-George argues the money saved now, will cost the community in the long run.

"You get more out of a treatment program than you would out of a jail."

She speaks from experience. Chavez-George was once a resident in the program herself.

"I've watched them come in bankrupt spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and walk out filled with all that they came here without," she said.

Next Monday, Priscilla Levario is set to graduate from a three-month treatment program in Hermanas. Before coming to live in the program's house on Rodriguez Street, all she cared for was to get high on drugs.

"It took a lot for me to get to where I am, but it's because of this program that I'm achieving it because i wouldn't be able to do it alone," Levario said.

Levario says Hermanas helped her regain custody of one of her four children; she's mended ways with her family and looks forward to taking medical assistant classes at Gavilan College.

"I was tired of it. I was tired of living on the streets. I was tired of not having my children or my family in my life," Levario said.

Four other treatment programs remain in Santa Cruz County; none are dedicated solely to women's treatment, consisting mostly of outpatient facilities. Community Counseling Center officials say those programs aren't in jeopardy of closure yet, but fear future budget cuts could change their existence.

KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather- www.kcba.com