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National Conference of State Legislatures: States changing corrections polices nationwide
State lawmakers are reforming sentencing laws and correction policies nationwide. They have two objectives: Quickly cut state spending on corrections and ensure public safety is protected in the future. With
If realignment is an opportunity, let’s not waste it building costly jail beds
California Progress Report Emily Harris of Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) writes in this editorial that California counties should direct more of AB 109’s state funding toward community
New Jersey creates task force to expand reentry options
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced a major expansion to the state’s reentry efforts this week in an attempt to reduce recidivism and lower costs to taxpayers. He announced creation
Tuolumne County selects GEO Reentry to open day reporting program for probationers
The Tuolumne County Probation Department has selected GEO Reentry, the nation’s largest provider of treatment, training and supervision programs for community corrections, to open and operate a day reporting program
Transition celebration marks new beginning for CDCR parolees in Stockton
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and BI Incorporated hosted a Transition Celebration for offenders who successfully completed day reporting center programming, and dozens of Stockton-area officials, families, community
Jail Employment Education Program prepares inmates for post-custody life
Recently released offenders are at the highest risk of re-offense. Employment provides stability and security and helps reduce that risk. The BI Jail Employment Education Program (JEEP) begins preparing offenders
Louisville implements Kentucky’s first day reporting program
Like many other governmental agencies across the nation, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government has faced chronic jail crowding (the 1,793-bed Louisville jail is consistently at capacity), increased costs and related
Lake County Chief Probation Officer explains how county is tackling AB 109
Throughout California, counties are organizing and developing plans for a significant change in corrections, including the diversion of thousands of probationers from state to local supervision. The change, part of
20-year study finds MRT Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy reduces re-arrests and re-incarceration
A study that tracked almost 1,400 criminal offenders during a 20-year period indicates when offenders receive Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), a cognitive behavioral treatment program, they are much less likely
Securing citizen safety while managing more offenders
Lake County Record Bee The Community Corrections Partnership of Lake County continues to develop its realignment plan. Part of that plan involves working with GEO Reentry to develop a day reporting
Napa held up as example for jail strategies
Napa Valley RegisterAs realignment’s start date approaches, Napa County is being hailed as a model for developing evidence-based programs. Chief Probation Officer Mary Butler says that the county began preparing
Prisoner realignment plan: Counties must find alternatives to lockup
Sacramento Bee: Viewpoints If properly implemented, realignment will reverse decades of over-reliance upon incarceration, improve public safety and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Not nearly enough
Community corrections agencies tap federal-state grants to offer reentry services
Corrections officials always seek solutions for two common problems: overcrowded jails and recidivism. Reentry programs that incorporate evidence-based practices are a proven solution because they reduce jail or prison crowding
Report validates drug courts impact on drug usage, crime and cost savings
A study surveying 23 drug court locations and 1,156 drug court participants across the country has found that drug courts produce significant reductions in drug relapse and criminal behavior among
BI works with California to provide solutions for AB 109/117 prison realignment
Sara Mayeux, on Prison Law Blog, reviews of the basics of how California counties are preparing for AB 109/117 and the shift of low-level offenders from state to county supervision.
Madera County expands day reporting program for probationers
Just one year after opening the Madera County Core Day Reporting Program, officials there are expanding the program. The expansion will bring the number of probation participants served in the
The ACLU’s 12-step plan to end California’s addiction to incarceration
American Civil Liberties Union’s Blog of Rights The ACLU of California sent a 12-step plan to each county to help break the state’s addiction to incarceration. The 12 steps are
Training Evidence-based Practices: The devil’s in the details
Past corrections models focused on punishment as a crime deterrent, which was proven ineffective as a model to reduce recidivism. Now more than ever, selecting community correctional programs that include
Report: Prison population reductions insufficient
San Francisco ChronicleSACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to keep tens of thousands of low-level offenders in county jails instead of state prisons won’t reduce the inmate population enough to fully comply with
Webcast features offender reentry discussion by federal leaders
In June, the U.S. Department of Labor hosted a discussion on workforce development and employment strategies for people with criminal records. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Attorney General Eric Holder,
Senators introduce Second Chance Reauthorization Act
Senator Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Portman (R-OH) have introduced the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, a step forward for continued reentry funding. The Second Chance Act was first enacted in 2007,