MHCC in Chicago: “I’m Back! Now What? Who Cares?”
Richard Althouse, Ph.D.
Immediate Past President, IACFP
Member, MHCC Advisory Board
This year’s annual Mental Health in Corrections Conference (MHCC) was again in Chicago, held at the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel April 18th through the 20th. The accommodations were very adequate, as might be expected at the Blackstone.
Annually, there are thousands of inmates returning to their communities (“I’m back”), often to communities that don’t want them (“Who cares?”) and, in some cases, communities to which they don’t want to return, and to communities that lack the resources to meet their employment, educational, housing, medical and mental health needs (“Now What?”). Re-entry challenges are often more overwhelming than many of these individuals can manage, and a high percentage recidivate or commit parole violations and are returned to jail or prison. Many experts agree that this “revolving door” process has to be minimized if the overcrowding and program challenges facing many counties and states is to be more effectively managed. Therefore, the primary program emphasis of this year’s MHCC was on reentry challenges and practices facing returning citizens.
The conference, primarily sponsored by the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, was co-sponsored by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology. Attendance at the conference was modest because of the negative impact of our economy on states’ budgets, and the absence of a passed federal budget on federal budgets. A number of potential attendees from the Federal Bureau of Prisons were unable to attend, lacking funding approval. Nonetheless, there were about 135 attendees, many students among them.
Plenary speakers included Joe Williams, founder and CEO of New Creations Community Outreach in Detroit, MI., who spoke about the importance of successful collaboration with faith-based and community organizations; Halbert Sullivan, CEO of the Fathers’ Support Center, in St. Louis, who discussed reunifying incarcerated fathers with their families and employment opportunities. Deborah Kratky, director of Capacity Building and Training for Workforce Solutions in Tarrant County, spoke about how subsidized transitional employment can help returning citizens get a fresh start “one step at a time.” Ashley Nellis, Ph.D., from The Sentencing Project, presented some of the challenges facing delinquents and young adults after release, and advocated for improving reentry services for this population. Eileen Henderson, from Restorative Justice in Toronto, Canada, and Detective Wendy Leaver, from the Toronto Police Service and their Sex Crimes Unit, spoke about their unusual and challenging work with sex offenders returning back to their communities through the “Circles of Support and Accountability/Mennonite Central Committee Ontario.” Finally, Ron and Catherine Tijerina, co-founders and co-directors of The RIDGE Project, Inc., in Defiance, OH, shared (at times tearfully) their personal experience with the challenges incarceration places on families, and the difficulties and necessity of keeping families with inmates together and in harmony. We were very fortunate in being able to provide these presenters for the conference!
In addition to these informing, inspirational, and at times moving presentations, there were workshops addressing various aspects of reentry, including community collaboration, teaching relationship skills, healthcare for returning veterans, emphasizing healthy lifestyles with high risk offenders, working with female offenders, and being informed about the additional consequences of incarceration so returning citizens are better prepared to meet reentry challenges such as the loss of voting rights, housing, employment, and educational barriers. Conference attendees—both professionals and students--left better informed about the challenges of reentry, the daunting tasks many communities have faced and are facing in attempting to manage these challenges, and how some have been successful. Needless to say, such efforts need to be expanded across the country!
As a student side benefit, a number of students received monetary awards for informational and research posters they prepared for the conference, and many attendees took advantage of the opportunity for a one-year free membership in IACFP!
Comments about the conference were very positive.
IACFP Executive Director John Gannon was able to join the MHCC Advisory Board in its discussion of future directions for the MHCC, and preliminary planning efforts are underway for next year’s conference. We will keep IACFP members posted!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Bill limiting convicted sex offenders' use of social network sites breezes out of committee | NOLA.com
Bill limiting convicted sex offenders' use of social network sites breezes out of committee NOLA.com
"BATON ROUGE -- A House committee Thursday took the first step toward enacting a law that would prohibit convicted child sex predators from using instant messaging devices or social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook.
The Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice gave unanimous support to House Bill 55 by Rep. Ledricka Thierry, D-Opelousas, after amending the measure. The bill now heads to the full House for debate.
Thierry's bill would make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to use the websites or chat rooms if they have to register as sex offenders and have been convicted of an offense in which the victim was a minor."
"BATON ROUGE -- A House committee Thursday took the first step toward enacting a law that would prohibit convicted child sex predators from using instant messaging devices or social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook.
The Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice gave unanimous support to House Bill 55 by Rep. Ledricka Thierry, D-Opelousas, after amending the measure. The bill now heads to the full House for debate.
Thierry's bill would make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to use the websites or chat rooms if they have to register as sex offenders and have been convicted of an offense in which the victim was a minor."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
MSU study: Digital forensic examiners face stress, role-conflict | MSU News | Michigan State University
MSU study: Digital forensic examiners face stress, role-conflict MSU News Michigan State University
"EAST LANSING, Mich. — Despite playing an increasingly vital role in criminal investigations, digital forensic examiners face staffing cuts, heavy caseloads and stress within police departments that may not fully understand their responsibilities, according to a study led by a Michigan State University criminologist.
Police officials should consider hiring more digital forensic examiners or, failing that, improving their work environment, said Thomas Holt, MSU assistant professor of criminal justice. His study appears in the May issue of the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice."
"EAST LANSING, Mich. — Despite playing an increasingly vital role in criminal investigations, digital forensic examiners face staffing cuts, heavy caseloads and stress within police departments that may not fully understand their responsibilities, according to a study led by a Michigan State University criminologist.
Police officials should consider hiring more digital forensic examiners or, failing that, improving their work environment, said Thomas Holt, MSU assistant professor of criminal justice. His study appears in the May issue of the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice."
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
BBC News - Hidden costs to crime victims
BBC News - Hidden costs to crime victims
"Victims of violent crime can find themselves tens of thousands of pounds out-of-pocket, according to research completed for the first commissioner for victims and witnesses for England and Wales.
Louise Casey has spent her first year in post listening to the views of people who have experienced serious violent crime - as victims, witnesses or families bereaved through murder and manslaughter.
There have been improvements in the last decade and more to the way victims and witnesses are treated. There is a criminal justice system Code of Practice which sets out rules for dealing with the victims of crime.
Families can now provide impact statements to the courts so that judges can take them into account when sentencing.
The UK offers the most generous criminal injuries compensation in Europe - paid on a sliding scale, usually up to £11,000 - and, in addition, it has Victim Support, the largest charity of its kind in the world.
Only two months into the job, Louise Casey described the Victims' Code of Practice as "a maybe code which confers no real rights" which crucially, in her view, offers no effective route for complaint."
"Victims of violent crime can find themselves tens of thousands of pounds out-of-pocket, according to research completed for the first commissioner for victims and witnesses for England and Wales.
Louise Casey has spent her first year in post listening to the views of people who have experienced serious violent crime - as victims, witnesses or families bereaved through murder and manslaughter.
There have been improvements in the last decade and more to the way victims and witnesses are treated. There is a criminal justice system Code of Practice which sets out rules for dealing with the victims of crime.
Families can now provide impact statements to the courts so that judges can take them into account when sentencing.
The UK offers the most generous criminal injuries compensation in Europe - paid on a sliding scale, usually up to £11,000 - and, in addition, it has Victim Support, the largest charity of its kind in the world.
Only two months into the job, Louise Casey described the Victims' Code of Practice as "a maybe code which confers no real rights" which crucially, in her view, offers no effective route for complaint."
Monday, May 9, 2011
PR-USA.net - Digital Forensics Certification Board Now Accepting Applications for First-Ever Independent Digital
PR-USA.net - Digital Forensics Certification Board Now Accepting Applications for First-Ever Independent Digital
"The Digital Forensics Certification Board (DFCB), an independent certifications organization for digital evidence examiners, today announced it's now accepting applications for its Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP) designation. The new certification is expected to serve as a new, unmatched mark of distinction within the digital forensic community.
Formed in March 2009, the DFCB has completed its "Founder's Process" that formed the initial group of certified experts and created the testing materials and process for certification that opens today. The DFCB now offers applications for its Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP) designation, which is only available to digital evidence professionals with a strict minimum of five years of experience related to digital evidence or digital forensics. Those seeking the DFCP designation must demonstrate two or more years of practical experience in the last three years and pass the DFCP exam. Interested examiners can find all application information at www.dfcb.org."
"The Digital Forensics Certification Board (DFCB), an independent certifications organization for digital evidence examiners, today announced it's now accepting applications for its Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP) designation. The new certification is expected to serve as a new, unmatched mark of distinction within the digital forensic community.
Formed in March 2009, the DFCB has completed its "Founder's Process" that formed the initial group of certified experts and created the testing materials and process for certification that opens today. The DFCB now offers applications for its Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP) designation, which is only available to digital evidence professionals with a strict minimum of five years of experience related to digital evidence or digital forensics. Those seeking the DFCP designation must demonstrate two or more years of practical experience in the last three years and pass the DFCP exam. Interested examiners can find all application information at www.dfcb.org."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Realistic Criminal Justice Careers – Conquering the CSI Effect
Realistic Criminal Justice Careers – Conquering the CSI Effect
"Many people watch crime shows on television and decide they want to pursue similar criminal justice jobs. These jobs are often portrayed inaccurately on television, contributing to a situation known as the “CSI effect.”
The CSI effect has many different interpretations, says Stuart Henry, director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program School of Urban and Public Affairs, at the University of Texas. Henry, who is also the co-author of the book, A Realistic Guide to Criminal Justice Careers for College Graduates, says in the criminal justice careers context, the CSI effect produces myths about careers that appear to be abundant, but are in fact difficult to obtain.
For example, Henry says police and crime shows inspire some students to want to become FBI officers, but when they get to college, they are disappointed to learn that the FBI is highly selective, only hiring a small portion of outstanding individuals.
Henry says that when some crime scene investigation shows began to appear on television, criminal justice students became more interested in jobs that examine the science of crime, especially forensics and criminal profiling.
Students quickly learned that forensic scientist jobs actually require a natural science degree, instead of criminal justice, and that many other jobs in forensics are often glorified for television, Henry says."
"Many people watch crime shows on television and decide they want to pursue similar criminal justice jobs. These jobs are often portrayed inaccurately on television, contributing to a situation known as the “CSI effect.”
The CSI effect has many different interpretations, says Stuart Henry, director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program School of Urban and Public Affairs, at the University of Texas. Henry, who is also the co-author of the book, A Realistic Guide to Criminal Justice Careers for College Graduates, says in the criminal justice careers context, the CSI effect produces myths about careers that appear to be abundant, but are in fact difficult to obtain.
For example, Henry says police and crime shows inspire some students to want to become FBI officers, but when they get to college, they are disappointed to learn that the FBI is highly selective, only hiring a small portion of outstanding individuals.
Henry says that when some crime scene investigation shows began to appear on television, criminal justice students became more interested in jobs that examine the science of crime, especially forensics and criminal profiling.
Students quickly learned that forensic scientist jobs actually require a natural science degree, instead of criminal justice, and that many other jobs in forensics are often glorified for television, Henry says."
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Camp offers teenagers an inside look at criminal justice system
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Camp offers teenagers an inside look at criminal justice system
"FAIRBANKS — Law and Order comes to Fairbanks.
No, this is not about the TV show or even the barristers gathered in Fairbanks for the Alaska Bar Association convention.
This is about the week-long camp later this month for students ages 12-16 who want to get an inside look at the criminal justice system while staying on the right side of the law.
Mike Daku, an assistant professor of justice at UAF, and Ed Husted, the paralegal studies coordinator, will help guide teenagers through such topics as forensics, the courts, law enforcement agencies and the jail system.
To sign up for “UAF Law & Order Fairbanks: Inside the Criminal Justice System,” call the UAF Summer Sessions office at 474-7021.
The camp is May 23-27, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 604 Barnette St. Registration is $250, with scholarships for those who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program in public schools."
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Camp offers teenagers an inside look at criminal justice system
"FAIRBANKS — Law and Order comes to Fairbanks.
No, this is not about the TV show or even the barristers gathered in Fairbanks for the Alaska Bar Association convention.
This is about the week-long camp later this month for students ages 12-16 who want to get an inside look at the criminal justice system while staying on the right side of the law.
Mike Daku, an assistant professor of justice at UAF, and Ed Husted, the paralegal studies coordinator, will help guide teenagers through such topics as forensics, the courts, law enforcement agencies and the jail system.
To sign up for “UAF Law & Order Fairbanks: Inside the Criminal Justice System,” call the UAF Summer Sessions office at 474-7021.
The camp is May 23-27, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 604 Barnette St. Registration is $250, with scholarships for those who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program in public schools."
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Camp offers teenagers an inside look at criminal justice system
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Osama Bin Laden Dead - Accuracy of DNA Testing - Popular Mechanics
Osama Bin Laden Dead - Accuracy of DNA Testing - Popular Mechanics
"When President Barack Obama made his dramatic Sunday night announcement that U.S. forces had located and killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan, one of the first questions many asked was: How could U.S. officials be so sure it was really bin Laden?
The answer came quickly. While the body was identified through photos and by bin Laden's wife, it was also the seemingly incontrovertible proof of DNA that gave officials such ironclad confidence in the dead man's identity. "Now, we can say with 99.9 percent confidence that this was bin Laden," John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, said Monday.
So why not complete confidence? While the body recovered from Pakistan is almost certainly bin Laden, a 100 percent identification is tougher than one might think."
Read more: Osama Bin Laden Dead - Accuracy of DNA Testing - Popular Mechanics
"When President Barack Obama made his dramatic Sunday night announcement that U.S. forces had located and killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan, one of the first questions many asked was: How could U.S. officials be so sure it was really bin Laden?
The answer came quickly. While the body was identified through photos and by bin Laden's wife, it was also the seemingly incontrovertible proof of DNA that gave officials such ironclad confidence in the dead man's identity. "Now, we can say with 99.9 percent confidence that this was bin Laden," John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, said Monday.
So why not complete confidence? While the body recovered from Pakistan is almost certainly bin Laden, a 100 percent identification is tougher than one might think."
Read more: Osama Bin Laden Dead - Accuracy of DNA Testing - Popular Mechanics
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Wanted: A State of Emergency in Our Criminal Justice System, Articles | THISDAY LIVE
Wanted: A State of Emergency in Our Criminal Justice System, Articles THISDAY LIVE
"Sometime last year, I warned that former Governor, James Ibori’s various escapades involving our criminal justice system eroded confidence in that system, making inevitable the outsourcing of justice concerning persons who should normally be subject to tried by our system (Ibori and the Outsourcing of Justice, May 18, 2010; Outsourcing Justice: Time To Claim Our Profession back, June 15, 2010).
Now that Ibori has finally been extradited to the UK to have his day in court on money laundering and fraud charges I thought it pertinent to reproduce both columns below.
Interestingly, our cover this week former ICPC chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Olayinka Ayoola, spoke frankly about the shenanigans of our Bar and how we get cases tied up in the legal system forever, through dubious applications and injunctions. Clearly, he’s deeply pained about how this affects our fight against corruption. Some of his views are quite radical, and I must say I have to agree with them. The interview is on pages viii-x, within."
"Sometime last year, I warned that former Governor, James Ibori’s various escapades involving our criminal justice system eroded confidence in that system, making inevitable the outsourcing of justice concerning persons who should normally be subject to tried by our system (Ibori and the Outsourcing of Justice, May 18, 2010; Outsourcing Justice: Time To Claim Our Profession back, June 15, 2010).
Now that Ibori has finally been extradited to the UK to have his day in court on money laundering and fraud charges I thought it pertinent to reproduce both columns below.
Interestingly, our cover this week former ICPC chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Olayinka Ayoola, spoke frankly about the shenanigans of our Bar and how we get cases tied up in the legal system forever, through dubious applications and injunctions. Clearly, he’s deeply pained about how this affects our fight against corruption. Some of his views are quite radical, and I must say I have to agree with them. The interview is on pages viii-x, within."
Monday, May 2, 2011
Justice is served in sentencing, jury pool bills
Ledger-Enquirer.com 05/02/2011 Justice is served in sentencing, jury pool bills:
"Two bills passed in the waning days of Georgia’s 2011 regular legislative session will both advance the cause of criminal justice in the state, and both are years overdue.
The first and probably more important is one Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law last week. It creates a state panel to study and overhaul Georgia’s sentencing laws. Those laws have been misshapen by years of short-sighted get-tough politics, resulting in a system that too often gets tough on the wrong people and sucks away money and capacity the state needs for cracking down on the right ones.
It has been an expensive and irresponsible miscalculation: Georgia has the nation’s highest incarceration rate, and its taxpayers pour a billion dollars a year into prisons. The Associated Press reported last week that Georgia annually spends $3,800 per child in public schools, and $18,000 per inmate in state correctional facilities. That’s a warped statistic by any reasonable measure."
"Two bills passed in the waning days of Georgia’s 2011 regular legislative session will both advance the cause of criminal justice in the state, and both are years overdue.
The first and probably more important is one Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law last week. It creates a state panel to study and overhaul Georgia’s sentencing laws. Those laws have been misshapen by years of short-sighted get-tough politics, resulting in a system that too often gets tough on the wrong people and sucks away money and capacity the state needs for cracking down on the right ones.
It has been an expensive and irresponsible miscalculation: Georgia has the nation’s highest incarceration rate, and its taxpayers pour a billion dollars a year into prisons. The Associated Press reported last week that Georgia annually spends $3,800 per child in public schools, and $18,000 per inmate in state correctional facilities. That’s a warped statistic by any reasonable measure."
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