Alberta to scrap restorative justice grant
"EDMONTON - A provincial grant program that has helped bring together criminal offenders and their victims to discuss the effects of crime is slated to be cut next year.
The Solicitor General and Public Security department on Monday confirmed its annual $351,000 grant for restorative justice programs will be axed in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The program has been in place since 2004 and is part of the department’s $678-million overall budget.
The grant money has funded almost a dozen organizations in the province annually. The organizations have worked to bring together a variety of offenders — including convicted killers and teenagers who have committed break-and-enters — with their victims. Some organizations also apply the techniques to non-criminal conflicts, such as schoolyard disputes.
The general goal is to have both sides meet, discuss the effects of a crime, and agree on what might repair the harm caused by the commission of an offence.
The decision to cut the grant program was made in “challenging economic times,” said Patrick Mears, a spokesman for the solicitor general’s department. It does not appear that other programs are slated to be cut from the department’s next budget, he said.
Those who work in restorative justice say their programs benefit offenders, victims, and the larger community.
For victims of crime, the meetings “help answer the question of ‘Why me?’” said Jan Moran, co-ordinator for the Alberta Restorative Justice Association. For offenders, the benefit comes in seeing the true effects of their crimes and recognizing what they must change to avoid reoffending.
“I believe it’s such a good program for crime prevention,” Moran said. “It’s going to be one less option for people to have.”
Moran said her organization, an umbrella group for 34 agencies, is scheduled to meet with the solicitor general’s department next month. She was surprised by the decision to cut the grant program and thought the programs had solid support from the government.
“We thought were starting a bit of a groundswell and now we’re back at the stream,” she said.
Funding from the department has been critical for smaller organizations to run their restorative justice programs, while bigger organizations might be able to make up for the lack of grant money in other areas, Moran said."
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Gaps in services for sexual assault victims in Texas revealed
Gaps in services for sexual assault victims in Texas revealed
"Increasing the availability of local sexual assault services and lessening emergency room wait times will lead to stronger cases for prosecution, the researchers said.
The study, funded by the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, is the first statewide needs evaluation for adult victims of sexual assault in Texas, according to Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, associate professor in the School of Social Work and lead investigator.
Researchers interviewed victims, rape crisis center advocates, nurses, law enforcement officers, victim services professionals and prosecutors across Texas. They found there is a substantial need for more funding, including additional support for those who serve victims.
"Sexual assault crimes persist as a social problem in Texas and the need to propel this issue to the public's attention is pressing," said Busch-Armendariz. "Little is known about the factors that promote or hinder victims to seek services from law enforcement and or victim service organizations. And, less is known about how these gaps in services impact a victim’s experience for a return to full physical, mental and emotional health.
It is critical to develop strategies so that victims can come forward."
When they did come forward, Busch-Armendariz said many victims of sexual assault told researchers that they left emergency departments when they discovered that the wait times for the forensic exam was several hours.
The researchers recommend more funding for sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), who generally work through hospital emergency departments and are specifically trained to provide medical attention and evidence collection in a victim-centered manner.
The study estimates that Texas spends $42.8 million annually in costs to law enforcement, rape crisis centers, SANE nurse programs, district attorneys and crime victim compensation."
"Increasing the availability of local sexual assault services and lessening emergency room wait times will lead to stronger cases for prosecution, the researchers said.
The study, funded by the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, is the first statewide needs evaluation for adult victims of sexual assault in Texas, according to Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, associate professor in the School of Social Work and lead investigator.
Researchers interviewed victims, rape crisis center advocates, nurses, law enforcement officers, victim services professionals and prosecutors across Texas. They found there is a substantial need for more funding, including additional support for those who serve victims.
"Sexual assault crimes persist as a social problem in Texas and the need to propel this issue to the public's attention is pressing," said Busch-Armendariz. "Little is known about the factors that promote or hinder victims to seek services from law enforcement and or victim service organizations. And, less is known about how these gaps in services impact a victim’s experience for a return to full physical, mental and emotional health.
It is critical to develop strategies so that victims can come forward."
When they did come forward, Busch-Armendariz said many victims of sexual assault told researchers that they left emergency departments when they discovered that the wait times for the forensic exam was several hours.
The researchers recommend more funding for sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), who generally work through hospital emergency departments and are specifically trained to provide medical attention and evidence collection in a victim-centered manner.
The study estimates that Texas spends $42.8 million annually in costs to law enforcement, rape crisis centers, SANE nurse programs, district attorneys and crime victim compensation."
Friday, August 26, 2011
Cyrus Vance Jr. and the DSK Rape Case - The Daily Beast
Cyrus Vance Jr. and the DSK Rape Case - The Daily Beast
"The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance, Jr., is facing a torrent of criticism for his handling of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case. Some of this may be justified-whether he rushed to judgment in seeking an indictment before he had gathered all the facts, for example. But much of the condemnation of his decision to dismiss the case reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the American criminal justice system, and particularly the role of the prosecution.
Evolving from British common law, the American judicial system has become adversarial in nature-two sides squaring off before a judge and jury. By contrast, the European system is described as "inquisitorial."
In most European countries, the judge or magistrate supervises the investigation, gathering facts, talking to witnesses. In America, the prosecution, working through police, performs this function.
In the American system, each side marshals the facts and evidence most favorable to its case, in civil as well as criminal proceedings. From this, the truth is supposed to emerge. It is sometimes called "trial by combat," and it has effectively become a game with each side wanting to win in the courtroom much like on the tennis court.
The role of the prosecutor is profoundly different from that of the defense counsel. Mr. Vance's responsibility was not to convict Dominique Strauss-Kahn. "The duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely to convict," says the American Bar Association, which sets the standards and ethical guidelines for lawyers. Expanding: "Although the prosecutor operates within the adversary system, it is fundamental that the prosecutor's obligation is to protect the innocent as well as to convict the guilty, to guard the rights of the accused as well as to enforce the rights of the public.""
"The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance, Jr., is facing a torrent of criticism for his handling of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case. Some of this may be justified-whether he rushed to judgment in seeking an indictment before he had gathered all the facts, for example. But much of the condemnation of his decision to dismiss the case reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the American criminal justice system, and particularly the role of the prosecution.
Evolving from British common law, the American judicial system has become adversarial in nature-two sides squaring off before a judge and jury. By contrast, the European system is described as "inquisitorial."
In most European countries, the judge or magistrate supervises the investigation, gathering facts, talking to witnesses. In America, the prosecution, working through police, performs this function.
In the American system, each side marshals the facts and evidence most favorable to its case, in civil as well as criminal proceedings. From this, the truth is supposed to emerge. It is sometimes called "trial by combat," and it has effectively become a game with each side wanting to win in the courtroom much like on the tennis court.
The role of the prosecutor is profoundly different from that of the defense counsel. Mr. Vance's responsibility was not to convict Dominique Strauss-Kahn. "The duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely to convict," says the American Bar Association, which sets the standards and ethical guidelines for lawyers. Expanding: "Although the prosecutor operates within the adversary system, it is fundamental that the prosecutor's obligation is to protect the innocent as well as to convict the guilty, to guard the rights of the accused as well as to enforce the rights of the public.""
Thursday, August 25, 2011
State looking for savings in criminal justice system
State looking for savings in criminal justice system
"— In a time when governments at every level are looking to cut costs, vital agencies are not spared, and that isn’t different in these state’s criminal justice system.
With legislative and judicial leaders, and stakeholders from every level at his side, Gov. Jay Nixon announced his the state government will begin to study ways to reduce costs in the criminal justice system, all while focusing on public safety.
“Because of the outstanding work by our Department of Corrections, the Missouri Reentry Process, which is used to successfully transition offenders into the community as productive citizens, is recognized as a national model, and our drug courts and specialty courts have made a significant difference,” Nixon said.
“We want to continue to build on this professional expertise and success as we protect public safety in Missouri. This initiative will help us do just that.”
The panel — made up of a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators and stakeholders — will be tasked with analyzing why people end up in prisons, auditing the sentencing and corrections policy, consulting local law enforcement agencies, and developing policy recommendations to be considered by the legislature.
“We must reform our public safety system in order to reduce taxpayer costs, while making sure we are effectively tough on crime to keep Missourians safe,” said Senate President Pro Tem Robert Mayer.
House Speaker Steven Tilley echoed that concern and hopes the study will find ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the system."
"— In a time when governments at every level are looking to cut costs, vital agencies are not spared, and that isn’t different in these state’s criminal justice system.
With legislative and judicial leaders, and stakeholders from every level at his side, Gov. Jay Nixon announced his the state government will begin to study ways to reduce costs in the criminal justice system, all while focusing on public safety.
“Because of the outstanding work by our Department of Corrections, the Missouri Reentry Process, which is used to successfully transition offenders into the community as productive citizens, is recognized as a national model, and our drug courts and specialty courts have made a significant difference,” Nixon said.
“We want to continue to build on this professional expertise and success as we protect public safety in Missouri. This initiative will help us do just that.”
The panel — made up of a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators and stakeholders — will be tasked with analyzing why people end up in prisons, auditing the sentencing and corrections policy, consulting local law enforcement agencies, and developing policy recommendations to be considered by the legislature.
“We must reform our public safety system in order to reduce taxpayer costs, while making sure we are effectively tough on crime to keep Missourians safe,” said Senate President Pro Tem Robert Mayer.
House Speaker Steven Tilley echoed that concern and hopes the study will find ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the system."
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Final phase of automated criminal justice data for NC law enforcement coming to 40 counties | The Republic
Final phase of automated criminal justice data for NC law enforcement coming to 40 counties The Republic
"RALEIGH, N.C. — A database designed to give more information to North Carolina law enforcement about offenders and their criminal histories will soon be available in all 100 counties.
The State Controller's Office began rolling out the last phase of what's called the CJ-LEADS initiative this week in nearly 40 counties.
CJ-LEADS stands for Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Automated Data Services and merges timely criminal information about offenders in one location. In the past, officers had trouble getting data because it was kept in various databases.
The first counties received program access in 2010. Controller David McCoy's office said the final phase was moved up from December because of intense interest in the program."
"RALEIGH, N.C. — A database designed to give more information to North Carolina law enforcement about offenders and their criminal histories will soon be available in all 100 counties.
The State Controller's Office began rolling out the last phase of what's called the CJ-LEADS initiative this week in nearly 40 counties.
CJ-LEADS stands for Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Automated Data Services and merges timely criminal information about offenders in one location. In the past, officers had trouble getting data because it was kept in various databases.
The first counties received program access in 2010. Controller David McCoy's office said the final phase was moved up from December because of intense interest in the program."
Final phase of automated criminal justice data for NC law enforcement coming to 40 counties | The Republic
Final phase of automated criminal justice data for NC law enforcement coming to 40 counties The Republic
"RALEIGH, N.C. — A database designed to give more information to North Carolina law enforcement about offenders and their criminal histories will soon be available in all 100 counties.
The State Controller's Office began rolling out the last phase of what's called the CJ-LEADS initiative this week in nearly 40 counties.
CJ-LEADS stands for Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Automated Data Services and merges timely criminal information about offenders in one location. In the past, officers had trouble getting data because it was kept in various databases.
The first counties received program access in 2010. Controller David McCoy's office said the final phase was moved up from December because of intense interest in the program."
"RALEIGH, N.C. — A database designed to give more information to North Carolina law enforcement about offenders and their criminal histories will soon be available in all 100 counties.
The State Controller's Office began rolling out the last phase of what's called the CJ-LEADS initiative this week in nearly 40 counties.
CJ-LEADS stands for Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Automated Data Services and merges timely criminal information about offenders in one location. In the past, officers had trouble getting data because it was kept in various databases.
The first counties received program access in 2010. Controller David McCoy's office said the final phase was moved up from December because of intense interest in the program."
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Alarming number of kids killed in domestic violence incidents in New York State in 2010
Alarming number of kids killed in domestic violence incidents in New York State in 2010
"ALBANY - Domestic violence murders jumped 10% in New York last year - and it's kids who are increasingly getting caught in the cross hairs.
A new report by the state Criminal Justice Services division determined 37 minors were killed in domestic violence incidents in the Empire State last year, up from 17 in 2009.
And the jump appears to be largely city-centric, with 25 kids killed last year, compared with seven in 2009.
"All of those trends are alarming," said Michele McKeon, chief executive officer of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The surge in children's deaths drove the overall number of domestic violence deaths in the state to 144, including 77 that took place in the five boroughs, the report found.
In 2009, domestic violence resulted in 131 deaths, down from 147 in 2008.
The Daily News reported earlier this month that the total reported domestic violence cases in the city rose more than 12% last year.
Attacks on women by "intimate partners" went up even more - 17.3%.
Advocates blamed a combination of factors for the increases but pointed to a tough economy and funding cutbacks for prevention and awareness programs as key reasons."
"ALBANY - Domestic violence murders jumped 10% in New York last year - and it's kids who are increasingly getting caught in the cross hairs.
A new report by the state Criminal Justice Services division determined 37 minors were killed in domestic violence incidents in the Empire State last year, up from 17 in 2009.
And the jump appears to be largely city-centric, with 25 kids killed last year, compared with seven in 2009.
"All of those trends are alarming," said Michele McKeon, chief executive officer of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The surge in children's deaths drove the overall number of domestic violence deaths in the state to 144, including 77 that took place in the five boroughs, the report found.
In 2009, domestic violence resulted in 131 deaths, down from 147 in 2008.
The Daily News reported earlier this month that the total reported domestic violence cases in the city rose more than 12% last year.
Attacks on women by "intimate partners" went up even more - 17.3%.
Advocates blamed a combination of factors for the increases but pointed to a tough economy and funding cutbacks for prevention and awareness programs as key reasons."
Monday, August 22, 2011
ACLU says police respond to schools too often - news-herald.com
ACLU says police respond to schools too often - news-herald.com
"Stories abound of ever-younger children being pulled out of the classroom for seemingly minor infractions, only to end up with a criminal record from a young age.
According to activist organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, zero-tolerance policies have had the unintended effect of funneling students directly into the criminal justice system for infractions that could have been handled through in-school disciplinary actions.
Its website lists examples of children as young as 5 being arrested for throwing temper tantrums.
Such policies, the ACLU claims, do little to improve school safety and instead enact harsh discipline without regard to students' individual circumstances.
Local school officials, however, say that's not the case.
Euclid Schools, for example, doesn't have a formal zero-tolerance policy in place — precisely because there are too many unique situations — but it also doesn't tolerate violence, Superintendent Joffrey Jones said.
The district strikes a balance between the two by fostering collaboration among school officials, law enforcement officers and parents, Jones said.
Although the district no longer has a school resource officer because of financial reasons, a school security force is in place and the city police department is close enough to the high school to provide immediate response, Jones said.
"We made a change last year so that whenever there was a fight, we informed the police, because we felt that whatever would not be permissible outside the school community should not be permissible inside the school community either," Jones said.
Informing the police of a situation doesn't automatically mean a student will get a criminal record. Instead, a conference is held during which the student's parents meet with authorities at the police department to discuss the situation.
"I think it gets the attention of everybody a little bit more and we've seen a noticeable drop in fights in the past year," Jones said.
"It isn't getting (students) into the criminal justice system, per se. It's more or less of a collaborative effort to try to stem the tide of violence so they're not going to jail and they're not getting a police record.
"Most disciplinary issues in Euclid are handled in-house, with only severe criminal acts such as drug possession or sales, firearms possession or acts of violence being turned over to the police, Jones said.
"If there are extreme acts of violence against somebody, we feel that's an appropriate reason to contact police. We don't have a lot of that," he said.
In Lake County, Willoughby Police Lt. Tom Trem said the schools' resource officer is a big asset for police and the schools.
"Normally, they don't burden us with small problems," Trem said of the city's schools. "We encourage them to err on the side of caution if they are unsure, but generally they know when to call.
"If it's just a pushing match they can handle it themselves, but if someone's hurt or if there's a crime, we expect to be notified.""
"Stories abound of ever-younger children being pulled out of the classroom for seemingly minor infractions, only to end up with a criminal record from a young age.
According to activist organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, zero-tolerance policies have had the unintended effect of funneling students directly into the criminal justice system for infractions that could have been handled through in-school disciplinary actions.
Its website lists examples of children as young as 5 being arrested for throwing temper tantrums.
Such policies, the ACLU claims, do little to improve school safety and instead enact harsh discipline without regard to students' individual circumstances.
Local school officials, however, say that's not the case.
Euclid Schools, for example, doesn't have a formal zero-tolerance policy in place — precisely because there are too many unique situations — but it also doesn't tolerate violence, Superintendent Joffrey Jones said.
The district strikes a balance between the two by fostering collaboration among school officials, law enforcement officers and parents, Jones said.
Although the district no longer has a school resource officer because of financial reasons, a school security force is in place and the city police department is close enough to the high school to provide immediate response, Jones said.
"We made a change last year so that whenever there was a fight, we informed the police, because we felt that whatever would not be permissible outside the school community should not be permissible inside the school community either," Jones said.
Informing the police of a situation doesn't automatically mean a student will get a criminal record. Instead, a conference is held during which the student's parents meet with authorities at the police department to discuss the situation.
"I think it gets the attention of everybody a little bit more and we've seen a noticeable drop in fights in the past year," Jones said.
"It isn't getting (students) into the criminal justice system, per se. It's more or less of a collaborative effort to try to stem the tide of violence so they're not going to jail and they're not getting a police record.
"Most disciplinary issues in Euclid are handled in-house, with only severe criminal acts such as drug possession or sales, firearms possession or acts of violence being turned over to the police, Jones said.
"If there are extreme acts of violence against somebody, we feel that's an appropriate reason to contact police. We don't have a lot of that," he said.
In Lake County, Willoughby Police Lt. Tom Trem said the schools' resource officer is a big asset for police and the schools.
"Normally, they don't burden us with small problems," Trem said of the city's schools. "We encourage them to err on the side of caution if they are unsure, but generally they know when to call.
"If it's just a pushing match they can handle it themselves, but if someone's hurt or if there's a crime, we expect to be notified.""
Friday, August 19, 2011
APD officers without arrest powers may have jeopardized cases | ajc.com
APD officers without arrest powers may have jeopardized cases ajc.com
"The Atlanta Police Department is still reviewing records but already has found that dozens of officers lacked the authority to make arrests because they had not met state requirements for training.
Some cases involving those officers are two decades old, although how many could be affected by the discovery is unknown.
All sides in the criminal justice system agree, though, that the end result could be far-reaching.
“The APD administration’s failures have just compromised a ton of criminal convictions and pending cases,” said a past president of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Christine A. Koehler.
“Somebody’s not doing what they are supposed to be doing over there. ... They have big problems.”
At least 51 APD officers had not received the state-required 20 hours of training per year, and that meant they could not make arrests. Maj. Jeff Glazier, commander of the Atlanta police training academy, said Thursday that more APD officers will likely be found deficient as agency investigators still have about 600 files to review -- or about one-third of the force.
To reclaim their arrest powers, officers will have to make up all the training they missed and seek a waiver from the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.
Of the 51 found to be lacking in training, seven are on administrative duty pending the resolution of the issue. Nineteen were put on administrative duty but have since brought their training up to date, and the remaining 25 are still being notified that they are on desk duty until they rectify training deficiencies.
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said the agency was also determining whether any disciplinary action should be taken against the officers.
Since 1990, state law has required all law enforcement officers to get at least 20 hours of training each year in classes covering policies, work-related computer programs or forms officers must fill out. Beginning in 2006, the state said at least one of those hours must be on the use of firearms and another hour must focus on use of force.
The problem was discovered a year ago when academy staff were reviewing the files of officers returning to duty after being away for extended periods. Glazier said he expects the resulting agencywide review of all 1,800 sworn officers to be completed by Sept. 15.
The department does not know how many arrests could be affected.
“Until an actual arrest is challenged in court ... we really don’t know,” Glazier said. “We don’t know what the impact will be.”"
"The Atlanta Police Department is still reviewing records but already has found that dozens of officers lacked the authority to make arrests because they had not met state requirements for training.
Some cases involving those officers are two decades old, although how many could be affected by the discovery is unknown.
All sides in the criminal justice system agree, though, that the end result could be far-reaching.
“The APD administration’s failures have just compromised a ton of criminal convictions and pending cases,” said a past president of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Christine A. Koehler.
“Somebody’s not doing what they are supposed to be doing over there. ... They have big problems.”
At least 51 APD officers had not received the state-required 20 hours of training per year, and that meant they could not make arrests. Maj. Jeff Glazier, commander of the Atlanta police training academy, said Thursday that more APD officers will likely be found deficient as agency investigators still have about 600 files to review -- or about one-third of the force.
To reclaim their arrest powers, officers will have to make up all the training they missed and seek a waiver from the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.
Of the 51 found to be lacking in training, seven are on administrative duty pending the resolution of the issue. Nineteen were put on administrative duty but have since brought their training up to date, and the remaining 25 are still being notified that they are on desk duty until they rectify training deficiencies.
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said the agency was also determining whether any disciplinary action should be taken against the officers.
Since 1990, state law has required all law enforcement officers to get at least 20 hours of training each year in classes covering policies, work-related computer programs or forms officers must fill out. Beginning in 2006, the state said at least one of those hours must be on the use of firearms and another hour must focus on use of force.
The problem was discovered a year ago when academy staff were reviewing the files of officers returning to duty after being away for extended periods. Glazier said he expects the resulting agencywide review of all 1,800 sworn officers to be completed by Sept. 15.
The department does not know how many arrests could be affected.
“Until an actual arrest is challenged in court ... we really don’t know,” Glazier said. “We don’t know what the impact will be.”"
Thursday, August 18, 2011
State Lab: State Police Forensic Crime Lab Loses Accreditation - Hartford Courant
State Lab: State Police Forensic Crime Lab Loses Accreditation - Hartford Courant
"— Critical federal audits have cost the state police forensic crime lab its accreditation from a nationally recognized society, at least temporarily.
The audits led the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors' laboratory acceditation board to allow the state lab's accreditation to expire Wednesday, the Malloy administration said. On its website, the board says it accredits most of the local, state and federal laboratories in the U.S.
Early this year, the board gave Connecticut's state lab in Meriden a six-month extension of its accreditation, but that extension ended Wednesday.
Michael P. Lawlor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning, said the lab will be reinspected — the date is tentatively set for Sept. 12 — and he was confident that improvements would result in the lab's reaccreditation. Lawlor said that the accreditation is voluntary, and that "there is no indication that this will affect pending cases between now and Sept. 12."
"The issues raised in the audits do not directly affect testing in criminal prosecutions," Lawlor said in a statement.
Last week, Malloy said that the federal audits raised legitimate concerns about the administration of the lab, but that the integrity of DNA testing on crime-scene evidence had not been compromised by the huge case backlogs and chronic understaffing."
"— Critical federal audits have cost the state police forensic crime lab its accreditation from a nationally recognized society, at least temporarily.
The audits led the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors' laboratory acceditation board to allow the state lab's accreditation to expire Wednesday, the Malloy administration said. On its website, the board says it accredits most of the local, state and federal laboratories in the U.S.
Early this year, the board gave Connecticut's state lab in Meriden a six-month extension of its accreditation, but that extension ended Wednesday.
Michael P. Lawlor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning, said the lab will be reinspected — the date is tentatively set for Sept. 12 — and he was confident that improvements would result in the lab's reaccreditation. Lawlor said that the accreditation is voluntary, and that "there is no indication that this will affect pending cases between now and Sept. 12."
"The issues raised in the audits do not directly affect testing in criminal prosecutions," Lawlor said in a statement.
Last week, Malloy said that the federal audits raised legitimate concerns about the administration of the lab, but that the integrity of DNA testing on crime-scene evidence had not been compromised by the huge case backlogs and chronic understaffing."
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Plea bargains a painful but necessary tool for the criminal justice system - San Jose Mercury News
Plea bargains a painful but necessary tool for the criminal justice system - San Jose Mercury News
"The two men charged with gunning down 3-year-old Carlos Fernando Nava in a failed attempt to kill two rivals were free to walk the streets despite violent pasts.
Both had been in the grip of law enforcement for previous crimes but, through plea bargains, were able to escape prolonged prison terms.
Lawrence Denard is the accused gunman, and Willie Torrence is suspected of driving a car used in the shooting.
The handling of their court cases highlights a necessary, but some say troubling, aspect of the criminal justice system, which is forced to process thousands of criminal cases a year with dwindling resources.
"The realities are the system cannot operate without plea bargaining -- we cannot handle the volume," said Laurie Levenson, a criminal law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "The system is overloaded, and the only way we keep things going is to plea bargain."
More than 90 percent of all criminal cases charged in California are settled through plea bargains, Levenson said. There are just not enough courtrooms, judges, lawyers or money available to bring every defendant charged with a case before a jury.
As a result, district attorneys are forced daily to balance the risks and rewards of reaching a deal with a defendant accused of a crime.
That decision, many said, is based in large part on the evidence collected in a case and the history of the defendant.
For Denard and Torrence, court records show, both the evidence collected against them in previous crimes and their history at the time of their past crimes allowed each to escape long prison terms despite what appear to be violent criminal histories.
"Every time you make a deal, you have to worry, 'Is this the bad apple that is going to cause trouble down the road?' " Levenson said. "It is the risk inherent in plea bargaining, and you hope you make the right decision."
Denard's criminal history dates back to January 2004, when he was accused of being part of a group of young men who mugged a street vendor in the 1100 block of 76th Avenue in Oakland.
Initially charged with robbery, Denard eventually took a plea deal in March 2004 that resulted in him pleading no contest to grand theft and getting five years of felony probation.
Six months later, Denard was arrested by police again after he was spotted by officers with a group of men in a green Jaguar. The officers had received a tip from an informant that the men were armed, court records state.
Denard was found with a shotgun in his pants and was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a gun. A month later, Denard took a plea deal in which he admitted violating his probation and was sent to jail.
Teresa Drenick, spokeswoman for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, said Tuesday that the office decided to give Denard a deal based on the evidence collected during the investigation of his two crimes."
"The two men charged with gunning down 3-year-old Carlos Fernando Nava in a failed attempt to kill two rivals were free to walk the streets despite violent pasts.
Both had been in the grip of law enforcement for previous crimes but, through plea bargains, were able to escape prolonged prison terms.
Lawrence Denard is the accused gunman, and Willie Torrence is suspected of driving a car used in the shooting.
The handling of their court cases highlights a necessary, but some say troubling, aspect of the criminal justice system, which is forced to process thousands of criminal cases a year with dwindling resources.
"The realities are the system cannot operate without plea bargaining -- we cannot handle the volume," said Laurie Levenson, a criminal law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "The system is overloaded, and the only way we keep things going is to plea bargain."
More than 90 percent of all criminal cases charged in California are settled through plea bargains, Levenson said. There are just not enough courtrooms, judges, lawyers or money available to bring every defendant charged with a case before a jury.
As a result, district attorneys are forced daily to balance the risks and rewards of reaching a deal with a defendant accused of a crime.
That decision, many said, is based in large part on the evidence collected in a case and the history of the defendant.
For Denard and Torrence, court records show, both the evidence collected against them in previous crimes and their history at the time of their past crimes allowed each to escape long prison terms despite what appear to be violent criminal histories.
"Every time you make a deal, you have to worry, 'Is this the bad apple that is going to cause trouble down the road?' " Levenson said. "It is the risk inherent in plea bargaining, and you hope you make the right decision."
Denard's criminal history dates back to January 2004, when he was accused of being part of a group of young men who mugged a street vendor in the 1100 block of 76th Avenue in Oakland.
Initially charged with robbery, Denard eventually took a plea deal in March 2004 that resulted in him pleading no contest to grand theft and getting five years of felony probation.
Six months later, Denard was arrested by police again after he was spotted by officers with a group of men in a green Jaguar. The officers had received a tip from an informant that the men were armed, court records state.
Denard was found with a shotgun in his pants and was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a gun. A month later, Denard took a plea deal in which he admitted violating his probation and was sent to jail.
Teresa Drenick, spokeswoman for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, said Tuesday that the office decided to give Denard a deal based on the evidence collected during the investigation of his two crimes."
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Police Ombudsman won't step down despite severe criticism in leaked report - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Police Ombudsman won't step down despite severe criticism in leaked report - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
"Al Hutchinson was last night brushing off demands for his resignation as Police Ombudsman.
The former Canadian Mountie was under intense pressure following the leaking of a damning report into his performance from the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI).
"Al is not considering his position. Far from it; he is preparing a response to the report and its recommendations,” said a source in the Police Ombudsman’s office (PONI).
He added that Mr Hutchinson intended setting out his case at a meeting of the Stormont justice committee, which is currently scheduled for September 8, but may now be brought forward.
Last night Sinn Fein and the SDLP led the calls for him to go, saying that his independence was fatally undermined. British Irish Rights Watch, a human rights body, also called for the resignation of Jim Coupland, Mr Hutchinson’s senior director of investigations.
The draft CJI report, leaked to The Detail website, said that Mr Hutchinson had lost the confidence of senior staff and that reports had been rewritten to exclude criticism of the police.
Such concerns, which go to the core of public confidence in the police, became known in April when PONI chief executive Sam Pollock resigned citing interference in the Ombudsman’s work by the Northern Ireland Office, as well as a lack of independence.
The leaked CJI report found that investigators asked to be disassociated from reports they had worked on because their findings were changed. They also told CJI inspectors that key intelligence had been withheld from them.
The report adds to criticisms of Mr Hutchinson’s independence and leadership made in an earlier review of the Ombudsman’s role delivered to Justice Minister David Ford in June.
The latest CJI report said that there has been such a “lowering of independence” by the Ombudsman’s office under Mr Hutchinson that it should be suspended from investigating Troubles-related murders pending a complete review of its structures.
Mr Hutchinson is preparing a response. Although he disputes claims that he is not independent, he believes that the Ombudsman’s office is ill- equipped to deal with historic cases."
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/police-ombudsman-wonrsquot-step-down-despite-severe-criticism-in-leaked-report%2016037033.html#ixzz1VCoY8guR
"Al Hutchinson was last night brushing off demands for his resignation as Police Ombudsman.
The former Canadian Mountie was under intense pressure following the leaking of a damning report into his performance from the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI).
"Al is not considering his position. Far from it; he is preparing a response to the report and its recommendations,” said a source in the Police Ombudsman’s office (PONI).
He added that Mr Hutchinson intended setting out his case at a meeting of the Stormont justice committee, which is currently scheduled for September 8, but may now be brought forward.
Last night Sinn Fein and the SDLP led the calls for him to go, saying that his independence was fatally undermined. British Irish Rights Watch, a human rights body, also called for the resignation of Jim Coupland, Mr Hutchinson’s senior director of investigations.
The draft CJI report, leaked to The Detail website, said that Mr Hutchinson had lost the confidence of senior staff and that reports had been rewritten to exclude criticism of the police.
Such concerns, which go to the core of public confidence in the police, became known in April when PONI chief executive Sam Pollock resigned citing interference in the Ombudsman’s work by the Northern Ireland Office, as well as a lack of independence.
The leaked CJI report found that investigators asked to be disassociated from reports they had worked on because their findings were changed. They also told CJI inspectors that key intelligence had been withheld from them.
The report adds to criticisms of Mr Hutchinson’s independence and leadership made in an earlier review of the Ombudsman’s role delivered to Justice Minister David Ford in June.
The latest CJI report said that there has been such a “lowering of independence” by the Ombudsman’s office under Mr Hutchinson that it should be suspended from investigating Troubles-related murders pending a complete review of its structures.
Mr Hutchinson is preparing a response. Although he disputes claims that he is not independent, he believes that the Ombudsman’s office is ill- equipped to deal with historic cases."
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/police-ombudsman-wonrsquot-step-down-despite-severe-criticism-in-leaked-report%2016037033.html#ixzz1VCoY8guR
Monday, August 15, 2011
Local News | King County's death-penalty dilemma: Soaring cost worth it? | Seattle Times Newspaper
Local News King County's death-penalty dilemma: Soaring cost worth it? Seattle Times Newspaper
"The cost of prosecuting two men and a woman accused of two of the most heinous crimes in King County in recent years is $656,564 and counting.
The cost of defending them is even higher: $4.3 million, and also climbing.
Like other counties in the state, King County is struggling with the rising cost of criminal justice, which has forced Prosecutor Dan Satterberg to eliminate the jobs of 36 prosecutors since 2008. But while budget constraints have forced some counties to all but abandon death-penalty cases, King County currently has two active capital cases.
A third, last year's prosecution of Conner Schierman for killing a Kirkland family of four in 2006, has thus far cost the county $2.4 million.
The county's current death-penalty cases include the prosecution of Christopher Monfort, who is accused of ambushing two Seattle police officers, killing one, on Halloween night 2009. Two other defendants, Michele Anderson and Joseph McEnroe, could also face execution if convicted of the slayings of six members of Anderson's family on Christmas Eve 2007.
While trials for the three defendants are months off, defense lawyers are racking up costs for expert witnesses, investigators, forensic analysis and other elements crucial for death-penalty trials. In the meantime, prosecutors, police officers and crime-lab analysts are also tallying up costs while prepping for the trials.
Portland-based defense attorney Jeff Ellis, who handles death-penalty cases across the country, said the high costs of prosecuting death-penalty cases — which can also include years of appeals — has resulted in a drop in death-penalty cases. King County, with two cases, is an anomaly, he said.
"There is a downturn in the number of death-penalty sentences being sought and imposed because of the costs associated with them," Ellis said. "What's happening now [in King County] is a reverse of what's happening nationwide."
In 2010, there were 46 executions in the U.S., including one in Washington state — a 50 percent drop since 1999, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Satterberg defends the county's filing of death-penalty cases despite the high cost. He blames much of the increased costs on what he calls an "industry" that has been created by death-penalty attorneys."
"The cost of prosecuting two men and a woman accused of two of the most heinous crimes in King County in recent years is $656,564 and counting.
The cost of defending them is even higher: $4.3 million, and also climbing.
Like other counties in the state, King County is struggling with the rising cost of criminal justice, which has forced Prosecutor Dan Satterberg to eliminate the jobs of 36 prosecutors since 2008. But while budget constraints have forced some counties to all but abandon death-penalty cases, King County currently has two active capital cases.
A third, last year's prosecution of Conner Schierman for killing a Kirkland family of four in 2006, has thus far cost the county $2.4 million.
The county's current death-penalty cases include the prosecution of Christopher Monfort, who is accused of ambushing two Seattle police officers, killing one, on Halloween night 2009. Two other defendants, Michele Anderson and Joseph McEnroe, could also face execution if convicted of the slayings of six members of Anderson's family on Christmas Eve 2007.
While trials for the three defendants are months off, defense lawyers are racking up costs for expert witnesses, investigators, forensic analysis and other elements crucial for death-penalty trials. In the meantime, prosecutors, police officers and crime-lab analysts are also tallying up costs while prepping for the trials.
Portland-based defense attorney Jeff Ellis, who handles death-penalty cases across the country, said the high costs of prosecuting death-penalty cases — which can also include years of appeals — has resulted in a drop in death-penalty cases. King County, with two cases, is an anomaly, he said.
"There is a downturn in the number of death-penalty sentences being sought and imposed because of the costs associated with them," Ellis said. "What's happening now [in King County] is a reverse of what's happening nationwide."
In 2010, there were 46 executions in the U.S., including one in Washington state — a 50 percent drop since 1999, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Satterberg defends the county's filing of death-penalty cases despite the high cost. He blames much of the increased costs on what he calls an "industry" that has been created by death-penalty attorneys."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Online threats against New Orleans cop lead to guilty plea | NOLA.com
Online threats against New Orleans cop lead to guilty plea NOLA.com
"A criminal justice professor at a small Massachusetts college pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in New Orleans and admitted stalking and threatening a New Orleans police officer.
Gary M. O'Bireck, 57, of Elmira, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of felony, or failing to report a crime, according to court records.
O'Bireck, a professor at Anna Maria College, a school near Worcester, Mass., was arrested in March for allegedly terrorizing a local cop and accusing the officer of raping O'Bireck's girlfriend in 2007.
The case resulted in O'Bireck's plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
He is slated to be sentenced in December, according to court records. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
O'Bireck threatened to harm the officer numerous times during a six-month period that began last August.
He also alleged in numerous postings on the Internet that the officer had raped a Loyola University student in 2007. O'Bireck said he was the boyfriend of the student and wanted the officer to step forward.
"U have 1 day. if we don't hear from u, consider urself a ghost," O'Bireck wrote in one such message.
The Times-Picayune is not identifying the target of the threats, a police officer who has not been charged in any sexual assault.
O'Bireck's online threats also made references to the Hell's Angels motorcycle club, writing that "they'll chop you into pieces."
"Think chainsaws," he wrote. "They hate cops and cops removal is a pastime."
The messages continued. In January, O'Bireck messaged the officer with his telephone number and suggested the two talk.
The FBI later searched O'Bireck's home and computers and recovered the messages.
O'Bireck, who taught criminal justice and sociology, was placed on administrative leave at the school after his arrest."
"A criminal justice professor at a small Massachusetts college pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in New Orleans and admitted stalking and threatening a New Orleans police officer.
Gary M. O'Bireck, 57, of Elmira, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of felony, or failing to report a crime, according to court records.
O'Bireck, a professor at Anna Maria College, a school near Worcester, Mass., was arrested in March for allegedly terrorizing a local cop and accusing the officer of raping O'Bireck's girlfriend in 2007.
The case resulted in O'Bireck's plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
He is slated to be sentenced in December, according to court records. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
O'Bireck threatened to harm the officer numerous times during a six-month period that began last August.
He also alleged in numerous postings on the Internet that the officer had raped a Loyola University student in 2007. O'Bireck said he was the boyfriend of the student and wanted the officer to step forward.
"U have 1 day. if we don't hear from u, consider urself a ghost," O'Bireck wrote in one such message.
The Times-Picayune is not identifying the target of the threats, a police officer who has not been charged in any sexual assault.
O'Bireck's online threats also made references to the Hell's Angels motorcycle club, writing that "they'll chop you into pieces."
"Think chainsaws," he wrote. "They hate cops and cops removal is a pastime."
The messages continued. In January, O'Bireck messaged the officer with his telephone number and suggested the two talk.
The FBI later searched O'Bireck's home and computers and recovered the messages.
O'Bireck, who taught criminal justice and sociology, was placed on administrative leave at the school after his arrest."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Leigh Stubbs, Mississippi Woman, Serving 44-Year Sentence Despite Discredited Testimony
Leigh Stubbs, Mississippi Woman, Serving 44-Year Sentence Despite Discredited Testimony
"Prosecutors in the U.S. often decry what is sometimes called the "CSI Effect." Movies and TV crime dramas like the popular "CSI" franchise on CBS can fill jurors' heads with unrealistic expectations about forensic science. But there's also a flip side to the CSI Effect: Because jurors are ready to believe the fantastical feats preformed by the wondrous forensics computers they see on screen, an unscrupulous prosecutor armed with an expert willing to offer otherwise dubious forensics on the witness stand can cause a lot of damage.
Witness Michael West. In the early 1990s, West, a dentist in Hattiesburg, Miss., was one of country's most prolific forensic odontologists, or bite mark specialists. West claimed to have perfected a new method of identifying bite marks on human skin, saying he could then match them to the teeth of a criminal suspect. Conveniently, West often testified that only he could perform this new analysis, which he called the "West Phenomenon."
Over the years, West broadened his areas of claimed expertise, testifying in at least 10 states as a wound pattern expert, a trace metals expert, a gun shot residue expert, a gunshot reconstruction expert, a crime scene investigator, a blood spatter expert, a "tool mark" expert, a fingernail scratch expert and an expert in "liquid splash patterns." He also got himself elected coroner of Forrest County, Miss. Though West was discredited in a number of national media reports beginning in the mid-1990s, he continued to testify in Mississippi courtrooms until just a few years ago.
Mississippi prosecutors no longer use West as a witness, but state Attorney General Jim Hood continues to defend convictions won because of his testimony. And Mississippi's appeals courts continue to uphold them. There are still dozens of people still in prison thanks either to West's testimony or his forensics reports, and Mississippi officials don't seem particularly concerned about them. One of those people is Leigh Stubbs, now 10 years into a 44-year prison sentence."
"Prosecutors in the U.S. often decry what is sometimes called the "CSI Effect." Movies and TV crime dramas like the popular "CSI" franchise on CBS can fill jurors' heads with unrealistic expectations about forensic science. But there's also a flip side to the CSI Effect: Because jurors are ready to believe the fantastical feats preformed by the wondrous forensics computers they see on screen, an unscrupulous prosecutor armed with an expert willing to offer otherwise dubious forensics on the witness stand can cause a lot of damage.
Witness Michael West. In the early 1990s, West, a dentist in Hattiesburg, Miss., was one of country's most prolific forensic odontologists, or bite mark specialists. West claimed to have perfected a new method of identifying bite marks on human skin, saying he could then match them to the teeth of a criminal suspect. Conveniently, West often testified that only he could perform this new analysis, which he called the "West Phenomenon."
Over the years, West broadened his areas of claimed expertise, testifying in at least 10 states as a wound pattern expert, a trace metals expert, a gun shot residue expert, a gunshot reconstruction expert, a crime scene investigator, a blood spatter expert, a "tool mark" expert, a fingernail scratch expert and an expert in "liquid splash patterns." He also got himself elected coroner of Forrest County, Miss. Though West was discredited in a number of national media reports beginning in the mid-1990s, he continued to testify in Mississippi courtrooms until just a few years ago.
Mississippi prosecutors no longer use West as a witness, but state Attorney General Jim Hood continues to defend convictions won because of his testimony. And Mississippi's appeals courts continue to uphold them. There are still dozens of people still in prison thanks either to West's testimony or his forensics reports, and Mississippi officials don't seem particularly concerned about them. One of those people is Leigh Stubbs, now 10 years into a 44-year prison sentence."
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Timothy P. Silard: California Lagging Far Behind Texas On Criminal Justice
Timothy P. Silard: California Lagging Far Behind Texas On Criminal Justice
"At one time, Texas built prisons as fast as it possibly could. Now, the state is reforming its criminal justice system by focusing on community-based supervision, rehabilitation and treatment programs -- and it is putting its money behind that plan.
As a result, for the first time in its history, Texas is shutting down an adult prison, saving the state $25 million over the next two years. In doing so, it joins a nationwide trend of states that are moving to shutter expensive prisons, reversing a 40-year prison boom. Michigan, for example, has closed 21 facilities as a result of parole and sentencing reforms, according to a recent report.
California, unfortunately, is not currently part of that trend. Our state, which prides itself on innovation, is lagging far behind in criminal justice reform. But California has a unique moment of opportunity to move into the lead in adopting evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to our public safety approach. In fact, now is the time for the state to make a bold move - closing a state prison.
The immediate need is to fully implement Gov. Jerry Brown's plan (AB 109) to shift the state's lowest risk, nonviolent offenders into community-based corrections, and use the already appropriated "realignment" funds for rehabilitation, instead of opening any more prison or jail beds. The plan is part of the state's response to the U.S. Supreme Court's mandate to alleviate its prison overcrowding problems. "
"At one time, Texas built prisons as fast as it possibly could. Now, the state is reforming its criminal justice system by focusing on community-based supervision, rehabilitation and treatment programs -- and it is putting its money behind that plan.
As a result, for the first time in its history, Texas is shutting down an adult prison, saving the state $25 million over the next two years. In doing so, it joins a nationwide trend of states that are moving to shutter expensive prisons, reversing a 40-year prison boom. Michigan, for example, has closed 21 facilities as a result of parole and sentencing reforms, according to a recent report.
California, unfortunately, is not currently part of that trend. Our state, which prides itself on innovation, is lagging far behind in criminal justice reform. But California has a unique moment of opportunity to move into the lead in adopting evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to our public safety approach. In fact, now is the time for the state to make a bold move - closing a state prison.
The immediate need is to fully implement Gov. Jerry Brown's plan (AB 109) to shift the state's lowest risk, nonviolent offenders into community-based corrections, and use the already appropriated "realignment" funds for rehabilitation, instead of opening any more prison or jail beds. The plan is part of the state's response to the U.S. Supreme Court's mandate to alleviate its prison overcrowding problems. "
Monday, August 8, 2011
Duke Gift Helps Anderson University Grow - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville
Duke Gift Helps Anderson University Grow - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville
"ANDERSON, S.C. -- Anderson University is about to get bigger.
University President Dr. Evans Whitaker announced Sunday that the school will acquire the former Duke Energy Service Center on Murray Avenue in Anderson in a partial gift, partial sale arrangement with Duke Energy.
The university said the expansion is necessary to meet immediate needs and make room for future programs.
According to Whitaker, the 15,000-square-foot building will be a permanent home for the University's growing criminal justice programs and the creation of a criminal justice "center of excellence" in partnership with local, regional, and federal law enforcement and emergency management organizations.
"Our vision is to bring all levels of law enforcement and emergency management into a partnership to create a true center of excellence that will be a national model," Whitaker explained.
Whitaker said the university could not have considered the initiative without Duke's support.
According to George Ducworth, former 10th Circuit solicitor and head of AU's criminal justice programs, the model aims to selectively invite certain law enforcement organizations to locate some of their functions within the building or conduct certain operations from the building. Those organizations will work alongside Anderson University criminal justice faculty and students to create a "real life" laboratory for students to gain first-hand experience.
Anderson University is already viewed as a leader in the criminal justice field. Its Command College of South Carolina was established three years ago as a highly selective graduate program for South Carolina's top law enforcement, emergency management and homeland security leaders."
Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/28797111/detail.html#ixzz1USWJyiPj
"ANDERSON, S.C. -- Anderson University is about to get bigger.
University President Dr. Evans Whitaker announced Sunday that the school will acquire the former Duke Energy Service Center on Murray Avenue in Anderson in a partial gift, partial sale arrangement with Duke Energy.
The university said the expansion is necessary to meet immediate needs and make room for future programs.
According to Whitaker, the 15,000-square-foot building will be a permanent home for the University's growing criminal justice programs and the creation of a criminal justice "center of excellence" in partnership with local, regional, and federal law enforcement and emergency management organizations.
"Our vision is to bring all levels of law enforcement and emergency management into a partnership to create a true center of excellence that will be a national model," Whitaker explained.
Whitaker said the university could not have considered the initiative without Duke's support.
According to George Ducworth, former 10th Circuit solicitor and head of AU's criminal justice programs, the model aims to selectively invite certain law enforcement organizations to locate some of their functions within the building or conduct certain operations from the building. Those organizations will work alongside Anderson University criminal justice faculty and students to create a "real life" laboratory for students to gain first-hand experience.
Anderson University is already viewed as a leader in the criminal justice field. Its Command College of South Carolina was established three years ago as a highly selective graduate program for South Carolina's top law enforcement, emergency management and homeland security leaders."
Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/28797111/detail.html#ixzz1USWJyiPj
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Achieving a Rehabilitation Revolution
Saw this in my inbox this morning:
Achieving a Rehabilitation Revolution
Tuesday 18th October 2011 • London
For details click: http://www.policycommunications.co.uk/events/rehabilitationrevolution/whyattend.html
Achieving a Rehabilitation Revolution
Tuesday 18th October 2011 • London
For details click: http://www.policycommunications.co.uk/events/rehabilitationrevolution/whyattend.html
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
COD to offer degree in homeland security - Naperville Sun
COD to offer degree in homeland security - Naperville Sun
"The Illinois Community College Board has approved College of DuPage’s request to offer an associate’s degree in homeland security, which will debut this fall at the same time the college opens its state-of-the-art Homeland Security Education Center.
The new degree is an extension of the existing Homeland Security Certificate offered by the college for the past two years. The new degree will provide an introduction to such topics as threats posed by domestic and international terrorism, concepts of emergency management and strategies for preventing, responding and countering catastrophic events. "
Thoughts? Read the rest of the article here and tell us what you think.
COD to offer degree in homeland security - Naperville Sun
"The Illinois Community College Board has approved College of DuPage’s request to offer an associate’s degree in homeland security, which will debut this fall at the same time the college opens its state-of-the-art Homeland Security Education Center.
The new degree is an extension of the existing Homeland Security Certificate offered by the college for the past two years. The new degree will provide an introduction to such topics as threats posed by domestic and international terrorism, concepts of emergency management and strategies for preventing, responding and countering catastrophic events. "
Thoughts? Read the rest of the article here and tell us what you think.
COD to offer degree in homeland security - Naperville Sun
Monday, August 1, 2011
Finding a new life with some help from drug court | The Republic
Finding a new life with some help from drug court The Republic
"PENDLETON, Ore. — Getting through and graduating from Umatilla County's Drug Court program isn't an easy feat. The program takes a minimum of nine months. Most people spend at least 350 days in drug court, and to graduate it takes an average of 516 days — a year and five months.
"It's not an easy program," said Mike Graber, program manager with Umatilla County Community Corrections. "It's not one folks can cheat their way through."
Drug court is funded through a $280,000 Oregon Criminal Justice Commission grant. Those entering drug court usually take it as an alternative to jail, prison or probation time, or another treatment program.
"I think any time you're looking at whether or not there was a good utilization of taxpayer funds to run a program, a lot of it is typically based on hard data that's run," Graber said.
And he knows a lot about hard data. Graber has prepared many reports and statistics on drug court, including a report on the five-year anniversary of the program, which happened this month. Graber can spout numbers of participants, numbers of graduates, numbers of arrests before and after drug court and percentages for all of the above.
But he said there is more to drug court than numbers.
He's seen people come in not wanting to give up a life of drugs. Some have to be forced into sobriety, but once the sobriety takes hold they begin to look at their lives in a different way, Graber said. They reestablish relationships with family members, hold down stable jobs and begin to leave the criminal justice system.
"While you may look at recidivism rates and continued sobriety and the cost of running a program, all that, at the end of the day, takes a back seat to the human stories that unfold in front of you," Graber said. "And it all makes it very, very worthwhile.""
"PENDLETON, Ore. — Getting through and graduating from Umatilla County's Drug Court program isn't an easy feat. The program takes a minimum of nine months. Most people spend at least 350 days in drug court, and to graduate it takes an average of 516 days — a year and five months.
"It's not an easy program," said Mike Graber, program manager with Umatilla County Community Corrections. "It's not one folks can cheat their way through."
Drug court is funded through a $280,000 Oregon Criminal Justice Commission grant. Those entering drug court usually take it as an alternative to jail, prison or probation time, or another treatment program.
"I think any time you're looking at whether or not there was a good utilization of taxpayer funds to run a program, a lot of it is typically based on hard data that's run," Graber said.
And he knows a lot about hard data. Graber has prepared many reports and statistics on drug court, including a report on the five-year anniversary of the program, which happened this month. Graber can spout numbers of participants, numbers of graduates, numbers of arrests before and after drug court and percentages for all of the above.
But he said there is more to drug court than numbers.
He's seen people come in not wanting to give up a life of drugs. Some have to be forced into sobriety, but once the sobriety takes hold they begin to look at their lives in a different way, Graber said. They reestablish relationships with family members, hold down stable jobs and begin to leave the criminal justice system.
"While you may look at recidivism rates and continued sobriety and the cost of running a program, all that, at the end of the day, takes a back seat to the human stories that unfold in front of you," Graber said. "And it all makes it very, very worthwhile.""
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