http://alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog en sktalpins@aol.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-16T11:08:49+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/washington-hope-style-program-appears-successful http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/washington-hope-style-program-appears-successful More evidence that Smart Justice works………………..The Seattle City Council and Washington State Department of Corrections launched a pilot program for offenders February 2011, the Washington Intensive Supervision Program (WISP). Based upon the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program, it appears to be reducing drug use and costs. Traditionally, offenders who test positive for drugs on probation faced a lengthy violation hearing process and 30 to 90 days in jail. WISP offenders face 48 to 72 hours, but are sentenced shortly after being caught. The swift and certain sanctions appear to be making a difference. Offenders participating in the program “were … 2011-12-16T10:08:49+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/h.o.p.e.-for-the-future-by-guest-blogger-dr.-robert-l.-dupont http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/h.o.p.e.-for-the-future-by-guest-blogger-dr.-robert-l.-dupont A new publication from the Center for Court Innovation and the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, entitled Small Experiments, Big Change, features a remarkable program in Hawaii developed by Judge Steven S. Alm. Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) is an example of how a small, local initiative can have the potential for far reaching and transformative large scale reform within the criminal justice system. Five years ago the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. (IBH) identified HOPE Probation and its management of offenders at high-risk of violating probation – including those with histories of substance abuse – … 2011-11-30T22:17:04+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/smart-legislators-file-re-entry-bill-in-florida http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/smart-legislators-file-re-entry-bill-in-florida Senator Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff (S 448) and Representatives Porth and Pafford filed a bill (HB 177) that directs the Department of Corrections to develop and administer a reentry program for nonviolent offenders. The program, which would be designed to reduce recidivism and cut costs and include mandatory substance abuse and educational assessments, substance abuse treatment, educational opportunities and other rehabilitative programming. See http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47273&SessionId=70 for more information. Florida has some of the strongest sentencing laws in the country (many of which I support). While state legislators have long demonstrated an eagerness to reduce crime and protect the public, they haven’t also done … 2011-10-22T12:35:53+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/house-arrest-shown-to-reduce-failures http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/house-arrest-shown-to-reduce-failures The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) released a report summarizing a study it funded on electronic monitoring. Researchers from Florida State University’s Center for Criminology and Public Policy Research compared the performance of over 5,000 medium and high risk offenders who were placed on house arrest and monitored electronically through Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or radio frequency (RF) systems to more than 250,000 who were not over a six year period. They found that electronic monitoring reduced offenders’ risk of failure by 31% (offenders on GPS outperformed those on RF). The impact was smaller for violent offenders than other offenders, but … 2011-10-16T23:11:42+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/shes-baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/shes-baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack Ever wonder what a difference one person can make? Yesterday, I heard MADD’s Founder, Candace Lightner deliver a stirring speech on MADD’s history and future opportunities. It’s amazing how far our nation has come in such a short time……..and it all started with one motivated mother. Of course, Candance still isn’t done. Candace announced the creation of a new traffic safety group, We Save Lives. The group will be a collaborative partnership involving stakeholders with interests in traffic safety. We look forward to working with Candace and We Save Lives to implement Smart Justice programs for DUI and other traffic offenders. … 2011-09-19T17:57:14+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/white-house-releases-policy-brief-on-smart-probation http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/white-house-releases-policy-brief-on-smart-probation The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP, also known as the Drug Czar’s Office) released a policy brief on alternatives to incarceration that focuses on Smart Probation and the three national models supported by the National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime (NPAMC): Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE), the South Dakota 24-7 Sobriety Program and Drug Courts. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/alternatives-to-incarceration. The paper reflects Director Kerlikowske’s ongoing commitment to reforming the justice system, improving public safety and reducing the tax burden. Kudos to the Director and the President for recognizing the importance and value of the new paradigm. 2011-09-14T06:54:14+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/smart-justice-in-the-real-world http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/smart-justice-in-the-real-world In 2010, NPAMC concluded a five part series of meetings where we established national consensus on a variety of issues. We noted that the majority of offenders suffer from alcohol and/or drug misuse issues and recognized that incarceration, while a valuable tool, does not change most of these offenders’ behavior long term. We agreed that community corrections programs requiring offenders to: • abstain from using alcohol and drugs; • participate in treatment as needed; • monitor compliance through advanced technologies; and • enforce program rules through swift, certain and meaningful sanctions are critical to facilitating rehabilitation and improving public safety. For … 2011-09-01T17:59:17+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/delaware-passes-smart-justice-law http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/delaware-passes-smart-justice-law The Governor signed a bill (HB 168) supported by NPAMC that enhances the penalties and remedial measures for repeat DUI offenders. The new law increases the minimum sentences of incarceration, but allows judges to suspend significant jail or prison time for offenders who abstain from using alcohol or drugs, participate in treatment, and demonstrate their willingness to control their drinking through continuous alcohol monitoring. See http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+168?Opendocument for further information. This law, and others like it, reflect the new paradigm in sentencing; it focuses on effective solutions (including a reasonable mix of incarceration and rehabilitation) that save tax dollars. Kudos to state … 2011-08-27T15:11:02+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/montana-attorney-general-announces-24-7-sobriety-program-pilot http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/montana-attorney-general-announces-24-7-sobriety-program-pilot In a “bold move” designed to address the Montana’s impaired driving problem, Attorney General Steve Bullock announced that that the state will pilot the 24/7 Sobriety Program in Lewis and Clark County and in Helena. See http://www.helenair.com/news/article_3c579dde-29a9-11df-a375-001cc4c03286.html. The program is based on the South Dakota model developed by former Attorney General Larry Long and currently administered by Attorney General Marty Jackley. Montana is the fourth state to pilot or adopt the program, following South Dakota, North Dakota and Arkansas. General Bullock’s announcement is welcome news, to say the least. Historically, Montana is one of the worst performing states in the country … 2010-03-09T16:58:57+00:00 http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/advocates-tackle-justice-reform-in-florida http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/http://www.alcoholandcrime.org/npamc/blog/advocates-tackle-justice-reform-in-florida Florida’s prison population now exceeds 100,000 inmates. The system is overwhelmed and the state cannot afford the $100 million it costs to build another prison, let alone the additional $25 million in recurring costs to operate it annually. A group of some of the state’s most experienced and esteemed officials have created the Coalition for Smart Justice. The Coalition partnered with the Collins Center for Public Policy and issue an open letter to the Governor and state Legislature urging reform of the justice system. The letter was signed a slew of recognized experts, including Jim McDonough (Florida’s Secretary of the Department … 2009-11-07T21:53:24+00:00