Ineffective at keeping people sober long term, sure (last I saw it was perhaps 1% better than force of will alone), but that isn’t what this kid needs. He needs socializing around the pain that abuse causes to others, not jail. I don’t care if he remains sober (though he probably should), and there are other ways to help with that. Naltrexone comes to mind.
But he needs to learn how to feel remorse, and a long lockup ain’t gonna do it.
