Archive: Community Corrections

  • Recidivism Reduction Act September 30, 2013

    Recidivism Reduction Act Summary Research and practice over the past 25 years have identified new strategies and policies that can make a significant dent in recidivism rates. Implementing these research-backed programs and procedures is called “evidence-based practice.” This Act requires that a to-be-determined percent of offenders be supervised in accordance with evidence-based practices within four years, as well as that a to-be-determined percent of state funds for offender programming be spent on programs that are evidence-based within four years. This Act also requires community corrections agencies to improve policies and practices for crime victims, to provide employees training on evidence-based […]

  • Swift and Certain Sanctions Act September 30, 2013

    Swift and Certain Sanctions Act Summary For states to deliver swift, certain and proportionate responses to violations of probation and parole, they need an array of institutional and community-based sanctions as well as the authority to assign—and reassign—offenders to those sanctions. This Act requires community corrections agencies to adopt a set of graduated sanctions and rewards to respond to violations and compliance with the conditions of supervision. This Act also establishes authority for agencies to impose graduated sanctions and rewards through an administrative process. Model Policy Section 1. {Definitions.} In this title: (A) “Agency” means: (1) The Department of Corrections […]

  • Community Corrections Performance Incentive Act September 30, 2013

    Community Corrections Performance Incentive Act Summary The provisions of this act are intended to reduce crimes committed by probationers and the number of probationers revoked to prison by giving probation departments a share of the savings to the state  in reduced incarceration costs when they reduce both new offenses by probationers and revocations to prison. Model Policy Section 1. {Intent.} The provisions of this act are intended to reduce crimes committed by probationers and the number of probationers revoked to prison by giving probation departments a share of the savings to the state  in reduced incarceration costs when they reduce […]

  • Community Corrections Performance Measurement Act September 30, 2013

    Community Corrections Performance Measurement Act Summary This Act implements a systematic performance measurement model for community corrections agencies, which includes measures of outcomes in key performance areas. This model provides regular, objective and quantitative feedback on how well agencies are achieving their goals. Such information will help agency managers and staff as well as the public judge how well the agency is performing, and will provide managers with accurate and reliable information on which to base their management decisions. This comprehensive performance measurement system will address the many tasks that community corrections agencies are responsible for: tracking performance at multiple […]

  • Resolution in Support of Justice Reinvestment March 15, 2013

    Resolution in Support of Justice Reinvestment Summary State spending on corrections has grown faster than almost any other budget item in the past 20 years, reaching nearly $52 billion dollars in tight economic times. Prison populations have risen dramatically and correction costs have quadrupled. Although prison admissions have begun to decline in recent years, the recidivism rates are still rising, leaving the fiscal status of many state prison systems untenable. Recognizing these problems, justice reinvestment uses research-based policies to save money on corrections, lower recidivism rates and make communities safer. Justice reinvestment has helped states around the nation cut costs […]

  • Resolution in Support of H.O.P.E. March 15, 2013

    Resolution in Support of H.O.P.E. Summary This Resolution recognizes the progress Hawaii’s HOPE program has exhibited in lowering the crime rate amongst probationers.  The resolution also supports the program and its success and aims to replicate its results in other states. Model Resolution Whereas, Hawaii’s Circuit Judge Steve Alm started the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program in 2004 in an effort to reduce drug use and crime among those probationers most at risk to commit violations; and WHEREAS, community supervision programs are a crucial area within the American criminal justice system; and WHEREAS, the number of adults on […]