Treatment, instead of prison. That's what an advocacy group is pushing for in Marathon County.

They want those with drug and alcohol-related offenses, to attend programs, while serving time.

"Treatment instead of prison came about a year ago and we performed a Citizen Advocacy Group," says Jay Kronenwetter, Chairman of TIP.

Chairman Jay Kronenwetter says we need to reform the justice system in our area, or substance abuse issues will only get worse.

The program known as TIP backed by the Drug Policy Alliance, blames the justice system for those who have repeated OWI and alcohol related offenses.

"Marathon County has no in-patient treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, the way to bring down the repeat rate and OWI and non-violent drug offenses is to provide the treatment in the community that is currently lacking," says Kronenwetter.

He says that includes mental health programs.

"For example, rather than a 10 day jail sentence, you offer them the 5 day, if they do vigorous alcohol treatment programs in conjunction with that sentence," says Kronenwetter.

There are current justice programs in place to prevent a revolving door of offenders in Marathon County, one of them is aimed to help children as young as second grade.

"Really teach kids how to repair the harm they've caused when they committed some type of crime," says Carrie Vergin with the Restorative Justice Program.

Carrie Vergin with the Restorative Justice Program in Marathon County says she's worked with children as young as the second grade, deal with problems through interventions rather than the court system.

"We bring the two parties together and instead of the judge determining what happens. The victim has a bigger voice in that," says Vergin.

So far, the program has helped more than 500 children over the past three years.

There is also a Justice Advisory Committee in Marathon County to help repeat adult offenders find help, including substance and domestic abuse cases.

Kronenwetter argues it's not enough.

"Currently there are a lot of people slipping through the cracks and not getting what they need," says Kronenwetter.

Kronenwetter also says alternatives to jail will also help Marathon County see a cost savings, because it will get more people getting help out of the system, faster.