A "Golden Opportunity" For Smart Criminal Justice Reforms?

The current political and fiscal climate presents a "golden opportunity" for smart criminal justice reforms, James Burch, acting director of the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance, told the National Committee on Community Corrections yesterday in Washington, D.C. The committee, a coalition of interest groups and corrections professionals, met in a session hosted by the Pew Center on the States Public Safety Performance Project.

Burch suggested that the relative lack of government dollars could be an advantage, forcing states and localities to be creative and not depend on the federal government for support. His agency supports the "Justice Reinvestment Initiative," which seeks ways to incarcerate fewer people and reinvest the cost savings on programs that do better at preventing recidivism. "This may be the most promising initiative [our agency] has going," Burch said. Pat Nolan of the Justice Fellowship spoke about the new "Right on Crime" campaign, in which conservatives are urging "most cost-effective approaches that enhance public safety." Nolan said the campaign so far has not targeted election officials for endorsements but said that some of its principles have been embraced by newly elected or incumbent governors in states like Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, and New York. Noting that new New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, backs justice reforms that save money, Nolan said the "right on crime" principles are "not captive of one party."

Bill to overhaul Ky. prison system advances

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill to overhaul the state’s corrections system — and reduce the state’s costs — won unanimous approval Thursday from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

But action by the full Senate on what supporters have called landmark legislation was postponed until Monday after Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican, had to leave the state for a political event in Washington.  Read more...

Fewer freed inmates returning to prison

The rate of released offenders returned to prison is the lowest it has been in 11 years, the director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said yesterday.

Last year, 34 percent of inmates returned to prison for a parole or probation violation or a new felony conviction, down from 36 percent in 2009, said Director Gary Mohr.

Last year's recidivism rate is the lowest since 1997, when it was also 34 percent.

The national recidivism rate averages about 50 percent, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics says.  Read more...

Conference Promotes Improved Responses to People with Mental Illnesses in the Criminal Justice System

Baltimore, MD—Criminal justice and mental health experts gather today to share strategies that improve outcomes for justice-involved people with mental illnesses. The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, with the support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, has convened more than 400 practitioners, researchers, and public officials this week to address the overrepresentation of people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system.

According to a recent study, 16.9 percent of people admitted to jail have serious mental illnesses—rates three times higher for men and six times higher for women than those found in the general population. Many have become familiar faces in local law enforcement incidents, courtrooms, and correctional facilities.

The conference connects front-line professionals with experts, peers, and mental health consumers who can provide guidance on maximizing available grant opportunities and ensuring programs have the greatest impact, including improving law enforcement encounters with people with mental illnesses; diverting individuals to treatment and services when appropriate; and providing assessments, programming, and services that can reduce reoffending and improve health outcomes.

“Recent tragic events have highlighted the critical need for justice and mental health communities to work together and share information to prevent and respond to crime,” said BJA Acting Director James H. Burch, II. “At the same time, our justice systems lack the budgetary strength and often the expertise to respond to the mental illnesses that link people to the justice system, creating a mandate for the two systems to work together to serve communities effectively.”

This conference is made possible through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), which is administered by BJA. In 2004, Congress authorized the JMHCP through the landmark Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act in recognition that the justice system is filled with people with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. The federal funding program authorizes funds for states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to more effectively use justice system resources to improve public safety and linkages to treatment. Through its technical assistance provider, the CSG Justice Center, BJA has offered training and guidance to grantees from more than 40 states.

“Lawmakers are facing great challenges in balancing their state's budgets,” said CSG Justice Center Board of Directors Vice-Chair and Kansas State Representative Pat Colloton. “By highlighting what works in reducing the number of people with mental illnesses who cycle in and out of the criminal justice system, BJA is helping state lawmakers reduce spending and focus investments on strategies that will improve the lives of these individuals and increase public health and safety.”
To view detailed information about the conference, access other criminal justice-mental health resources, and subscribe to the Consensus Project newsletter, visit www.consensusproject.org. 

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. The Justice Center provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies—informed by available evidence—to increase public safety and strengthen communities. For more information, see www.justicecenter.csg.org.

Budget cuts slice programs for ex-inmates

Cuts in probation and parole programs to reconcile state budget deficits could undermine recent successes in shrinking bloated prison populations, criminal justice officials say.

In some states, the number of people committing new felonies while on probation or parole has inched up, in part because of cuts to programs that helped former inmates stay out of prison. Other states are weighing substantial budget cuts to all parts of their criminal justice systems, including probation and parole programs.  Read More...