Friday, November 12, 2010
National Parole Resource Center Receives New Funding
The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC), a partnership of the Association of Paroling Authorities International and the Center for Effective Public Policy, funded by the Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA), is pleased to announce that they have received additional funding from BJA to support the work of NPRC. To read more about this additional funding click HERE
NIC Core Competencies Document Now on Web
The National Institute of Correction’s publication entitled Core Competencies: A Resource for Parole Board Chairs, Members and Executive Staff is now available on the NIC website. To view this excellent piece of work on an extremely important issue click HERE .
Monday, November 8, 2010
APAI Website Updated
The APAI website has been updated to include an updated membership form, the October 2010 Newsletter, and updated 2011 Annual Training Conference information such as registration fees. Visit the website HERE!
A no-pardon Justice Department
President Obama should rely more on his own moral judgment than the Justice Department's in making clemency and pardon decisions.
The Times' well-intentioned Oct. 30 editorial bemoaning that fact that President Obama hasn't yet granted any pardons or commutations, in which the editorial board correctly notes that the president is "aided in such decisions by the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Justice Department," betrays a profound misunderstanding of the role the pardon office plays in the clemency advisory process. In particular, The Times writes, "Ideally, presidents would give great deference to the pardon attorney's recommendations and take a liberal view of the clemency power, exercising it often and on the basis of clear standards."
This assertion is hopelessly confused. In fact, the problem in the vast majority of garden-variety clemency cases — those involving ordinary applicants for whom a grant of clemency would not cause any public controversy — is precisely that recent presidents have given far too much deference to the pardon attorney's office. Having spent more than 10 years as a staff attorney in that office, I can say with some authority that the prevailing view within the Justice Department is that the pardon attorney's sole institutional function is to defend the department's prosecutorial prerogatives. There is little, if any, pretense of neutrality, much less liberality. On this parochial view, the institution of a genuinely humane clemency policy would be considered an insult to the good work of line prosecutors. Read More...
The Times' well-intentioned Oct. 30 editorial bemoaning that fact that President Obama hasn't yet granted any pardons or commutations, in which the editorial board correctly notes that the president is "aided in such decisions by the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Justice Department," betrays a profound misunderstanding of the role the pardon office plays in the clemency advisory process. In particular, The Times writes, "Ideally, presidents would give great deference to the pardon attorney's recommendations and take a liberal view of the clemency power, exercising it often and on the basis of clear standards."
This assertion is hopelessly confused. In fact, the problem in the vast majority of garden-variety clemency cases — those involving ordinary applicants for whom a grant of clemency would not cause any public controversy — is precisely that recent presidents have given far too much deference to the pardon attorney's office. Having spent more than 10 years as a staff attorney in that office, I can say with some authority that the prevailing view within the Justice Department is that the pardon attorney's sole institutional function is to defend the department's prosecutorial prerogatives. There is little, if any, pretense of neutrality, much less liberality. On this parochial view, the institution of a genuinely humane clemency policy would be considered an insult to the good work of line prosecutors. Read More...
Ankle monitors: a high-demand accessory for minor criminals: In Allegheny County, 925 wait for ankle bracelets
Electronic monitoring devices, black anklets made of rubber and plastic, are not exactly coveted, but in Allegheny County they are certainly in high demand.
Last week, about 1,200 people were wearing the monitoring units, mostly used to enforce house arrest for those convicted in Common Pleas Court of minor criminal offenses. Another 925 people were waiting for them.
The electronic monitoring waiting list started ballooning about a year ago, about the same time the court introduced a program to expedite minor cases. Read More...
Last week, about 1,200 people were wearing the monitoring units, mostly used to enforce house arrest for those convicted in Common Pleas Court of minor criminal offenses. Another 925 people were waiting for them.
The electronic monitoring waiting list started ballooning about a year ago, about the same time the court introduced a program to expedite minor cases. Read More...
Schwarzenegger veto of killer's parole overturned
The state parole board has approved Michael McDonald's release three times and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed it each time, saying the convicted murderer showed a "lack of insight" into his crime because he still insisted he was innocent.
But a state appeals court says that neither the governor nor the board can insist on a confession before paroling a prisoner who, based on the evidence, is not dangerous. Read More...
But a state appeals court says that neither the governor nor the board can insist on a confession before paroling a prisoner who, based on the evidence, is not dangerous. Read More...
Reforming Sex Offender Laws: California's Chelsea's Law rethinks the way state manages sex offenders who will return to society
After the rape and murder of Chelsea King, a San Diego County teenager, California legislators decided they had to do something. Amid the emotions of the tragedy, they passed a rational, thoughtful law.
That was an unexpected outcome, because many of the approaches that states take to prevent sex crimes are based more on fears than hard evidence. That’s as true in California as any other place. There, with the support of most of the state’s key politicians, voters approved a 2006 ballot initiative, known as Jessica’s Law, that barred sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, day-care centers, parks or churches. Read More...
That was an unexpected outcome, because many of the approaches that states take to prevent sex crimes are based more on fears than hard evidence. That’s as true in California as any other place. There, with the support of most of the state’s key politicians, voters approved a 2006 ballot initiative, known as Jessica’s Law, that barred sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, day-care centers, parks or churches. Read More...
Friday, November 5, 2010
14th National Workshop on Adult and Juvenile Female Offenders
The State of Utah , Division of Juvenile Justice Services is hosting the 14th National Workshop on Adult and Juvenile Female Offenders in Salt Lake City , Utah
You can find more information HERE!
You can find more information HERE!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Who's going back to prison (again and again)
San Francisco has one of the highest recidivism rates in the state—some 78.3 percent go back to prison within three years of release—according to a report released today by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
The study tracked about 108,000 inmates released from state prisons between 2005 and 2006 over the course of three years. Overall, the state recidivism rate, which has long been among the highest in the country, clocks in at 67.5 percent, which is not a significant change from previous statewide tallies.
“The recidivism rates in general, while not surprising, are disheartening, and attest to the complete failure of our prison system in achieving deterrence, rehabilitation, or both,” UC Hastings law professor Hadar Aviram writes in an email. “It is telling that the statistics haven’t changed significantly over time, despite increased punitive measures. Clearly, what we are doing under the title ‘corrections and rehabilitation’ does not correct or rehabilitate.” Read More...
The study tracked about 108,000 inmates released from state prisons between 2005 and 2006 over the course of three years. Overall, the state recidivism rate, which has long been among the highest in the country, clocks in at 67.5 percent, which is not a significant change from previous statewide tallies.
“The recidivism rates in general, while not surprising, are disheartening, and attest to the complete failure of our prison system in achieving deterrence, rehabilitation, or both,” UC Hastings law professor Hadar Aviram writes in an email. “It is telling that the statistics haven’t changed significantly over time, despite increased punitive measures. Clearly, what we are doing under the title ‘corrections and rehabilitation’ does not correct or rehabilitate.” Read More...
Prison sentences, parks measures pass, casino and marijuana bids fail
Ballot measures supporting parks and tougher prison sentences got big support from Oregon voters, but implementing these citizen initiatives comes with a price tag.
Kevin Mannix, author of Measure 73, didn't mount a wide campaign for the measure but said voter support shows they place a high value on public safety even during an economic crisis.
And Amanda Rich, executive director of Oregon Recreation and Park Association, said the strong voting for Measure 76 shows Oregonians view protecting parks and natural resources as a core value.
Measure 76, which drew 68 percent of votes, permanently dedicates 15 percent of Oregon Lottery proceeds for the maintenance of Oregon's parks and wildlife habitats. State officials estimate that those programs will receive about $170 million over the next two years. Read More...
Kevin Mannix, author of Measure 73, didn't mount a wide campaign for the measure but said voter support shows they place a high value on public safety even during an economic crisis.
And Amanda Rich, executive director of Oregon Recreation and Park Association, said the strong voting for Measure 76 shows Oregonians view protecting parks and natural resources as a core value.
Measure 76, which drew 68 percent of votes, permanently dedicates 15 percent of Oregon Lottery proceeds for the maintenance of Oregon's parks and wildlife habitats. State officials estimate that those programs will receive about $170 million over the next two years. Read More...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sentencing Project Releases Article on Mandatory Minimun Senetencing in the Federal System
In "The Impact of Mandatory Minimum Penalties in Federal Sentencing," appearing in the journal Judicature, Marc Mauer, Executive Director of the Sentencing project argues that mandatory sentencing policies have not improved public safety but have exacerbated existing racial disparities in the criminal justice system. The piece is taken from his testimony earlier this year to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
To read the entire article click HERE
To read the entire article click HERE
Sentencing Project Releases Report on Life Without Parole Sentences
In "Throwing Away the Key: The Expansion of Life Without Parole Sentences in the United States," appearing in the current issue of the Federal Sentencing Reporter, Ashley Nellis describes the growing use of life imprisonment in recent decades. She argues that the growing use of life without parole represents a lack of confidence that persons who commit serious crimes can mature out of their criminal behavior and that too often this results in unnecessarily lengthy incarceration.
To read the full article click HERE
To read the full article click HERE
APAI mourns passing of Dr. Don Andrews
APAI is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Don Andrews of Carleton University.
Dr. Andrews was Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton. He was a founding member of the Criminology program at Carleton. The flags on campus were lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Oct. 30 as a celebration of his life was held in Ottawa that day.
The Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice will be celebrating his life and his achievements at a memorial service on Friday, November 26th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in Room 2017 of the Dunton Tower at the University.
Dr. Andrews was a pioneer in our understanding of criminal behavior and risk assessment. He wrote many important books, articles and delivered many key presentations and training sessions.
Dr. Andrews was Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton. He was a founding member of the Criminology program at Carleton. The flags on campus were lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Oct. 30 as a celebration of his life was held in Ottawa that day.
The Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice will be celebrating his life and his achievements at a memorial service on Friday, November 26th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in Room 2017 of the Dunton Tower at the University.
Dr. Andrews was a pioneer in our understanding of criminal behavior and risk assessment. He wrote many important books, articles and delivered many key presentations and training sessions.
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