Precedents for S.2123, The Sentencing Reform and
Corrections Act
A Report by the Center for Prison Reform
March2016
TheCenterforPrisonReform401NinthStreet,NW,#640Washington,DC20004(202)430-5545office(202)888-0196fax
EdwinaRogersChiefExecutiveOfficeredwina@centerforprisonreform.org(202)674-7800cell
AbipartisanSenategroupannouncestheSentencingReformandCorrectionsAct,October2015
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Contents Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................3
UnintendedConsequencesofMandatoryMinimumSentences...........................................................5
ReducedMandatorySentences...........................................................................................................................8
EnhancedJudgeDiscretiononMandatorySentences ........................................................................... 12
RiskAssessmentPrograms ............................................................................................................................... 14
EnhancedRehabilitationPrograms............................................................................................................... 17
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Overview InOctober2015,theU.S.SenateJudiciaryCommitteeapproved,byabipartisanvoteof15to5,BillS.2123,TheSentencingReformandCorrectionsAct.Confidenceishighthatthebillwillbeeffectivebecauseitsmajorprovisionshavebeenshowntoworkatthestatelevel.TheseprecedentcriminaljusticereformsprovethatS.2123will:
• Reduceprisoncosts,• Increasepublicsafety,• Reducerecidivism,makingproductivecitizensofex-offenders,• Giveex-offendersabetterchanceatredemption,and• Moresuccessfullyaddressillegaldrugusageasforemostahealthproblem.
Whatfollowsisastudyofcriminaljusticereforms,focusedonconservativeUSstates,whichhavesimilaritytoonethebill’sfourmajorprovisions:
1. ReducesMandatorySentences:S.2123reducesenhancedpenaltiesandeliminatesthethree-strikemandatorylifeprovisionfordrugoffenders,butretainsenhancedpenaltiesforseriousviolentandfelonyoffenders.
2. EnhancesJudgeDiscretion:Foradefendantlackingseriousviolentanddrugfelonyoffenses,itgivesacourta“safetyvalve”tosentencebelowmandatoryminimumsbasedonhisorhercriminalhistoryanddangerofrecidivism.
3. RequiresRiskAssessmentPrograms:ThebillrequirestheDepartmentofJusticetoconductriskassessmentstoclassifyallfederalinmatesandtousetheresultstoassigninmatestoappropriaterecidivismreductionprograms,includingworkandeducationprograms,drugrehabilitation,jobtraining,andfaith-basedprograms.
4. EnhancesRehabilitationPrograms:Eligibleprisonerswhosuccessfullycompleterehabilitationprogramscanearnearlyreleaseandmayspendthefinalportion(upto25percent)oftheirremainingsentenceinhomeconfinementorahalfwayhouse.
CriminaljusticereformhasbeenevenmorepopularinconservativeUSstatesthaninliberalandmoderateones1:
1SentencingandCorrectionsReformsinJusticeReinvestmentStates,PewCenter,June2015.
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WenowtakethemajorsectionsofS.2123andshowwhichprovisionshavebeenpreviouslyimplementedbystates.
CriminaljusticereformsinconservativeUSstatesinclude:
WenowtakethemajorsectionsofS.2123andshowwhichprovisionshavebeenpreviouslyimplementedbyconservativestates.
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Unintended Consequences of Mandatory Minimum Sentences Minimumsentencinglawssetalowerlimittothepenaltiesthatcourtsgiveforspecificcrimes.Guidingcourtroomstowardsconsistentsentencingisagoodgoal,buttheideahasgonetoofarbecausedistrictattorneysgainfavorwiththeircommunitiesbybeingtoughoncrime.
Thiscreatesunintendedconsequences:
• Protectingacommunitybylockingupitscriminalsmustbebalancedagainstasystemthatshouldbettercorrectandreintegrateoffendersintothecommunity.Reformationshouldbethegoalofcriminalpenalties.
• Longersentencesfornonviolentcrimesneedlesslydestroyfamiliesandminoritycommunities,withpropagationaffectsaschildrengrowupwithoutfathersandminoritiesarefurtherstereotypedbycriminalmisdeedstheywanttoputinthepastbutcan’t.AgreaterpercentageofAmericanblackmenareimprisonedthaninSouthAfricaattheheightofApartheid2.
• LawsthatrequiremandatoryminimumsentencescreateaSoviet-stylebureaucracywherepoweristakenawayfromjudgestomakesmartdecisionsonacase-by-casebasis.Theytransfersentencingauthorityfromtrialjudgestofederalprosecutors,whomayeffectivelyassignpunishmentsthroughcreativechargesthattriggerminimums,a“cliffeffect”thatgivessimilarcrimesverydifferentsentences3.
• Mandatoryminimumsentencesaretheleastcost-effectivewaytoreducedrugcrime,comparedtoconventionalpoliceenforcementortreatmentcenters4.
• Everynewpolitician,wishingtoprovehisorhervalue,wantstocontributetosentencinglaws,leadingtoaratchetingupeffectastheygettougherandtougher,toabsurdlevels.
• Therearediminishingreturnstothevalueofsentencingacriminaltojailforlongertimes,forjustice,forcorrection,andforrehabilitation.Astudyfoundthata10%
2MajorProgressforFixingCruelDrugWarPrisonSentences,Alternet,January20143MandatoryMinimumSentencingProvisionsUnderFederalLaw,CATOInstitute,May20104AreMandatoryMinimumDrugSentencesCost-Effective?RandCorporation,1997
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increaseinincarcerationonlyresultedinreducedrecidivismratesof0.1%to4%5.Anotherstudyshowedthatreducingsentencesdidnotleadtomorecrime6.
• Thelongjailtimesthatresultasaconsequenceofminimumsentencingcancreatesuchapowerfulthreatthatprosecutorscanusethemtobadgeraccuseddefendantsintoacceptingpleabargains.
• Theypunishlow-leveloffendersasmuchorevenmorethanthoseatthetopofthedrugtrade7.
Asaresult,somenewsworthycasesofinjusticehaveembarrassedUSstatesandthefederalgovernment,drawingattentiontolessnotablebutsimilarlyunfairsentencingthatisubiquitousacrossAmerica.
Morethanhalfofthe219,000federalprisonersareservingtimefordrugoffenses8.Someformerfederaljudgesregrettheirrulings.In2002,amaninUtahgot55yearsinfederalprisonforthreemarijuanasales9,whichthejudgeopenlyregrets.U.S.DistrictJudgeJohnGleeson,whocametoearlysuccessasaprosecutor,says“Mandatoryminimums,tosomedegree,sometimesentirely,takejudgingoutofthemix.That'sabadthingforoursystem.”
AwomaninIowawhowassimplythegirlfriendofagun-owningdrugdealerwassentencedto15yearsinfederalprison,3yearslongerthantheboyfriendgot10,11.
ApregnantwomaninAlabamawithnopriorconvictionswassenttoprisonfor30yearsin1990fordealingdrugsforamonthasthehelpertoherboyfriend12.
AcollegestudentinAlabamawassentencedtolifeinprisonforbeingpresentatadrugtransaction13.
Clearlyjudgesneedtobegivenmorediscretioninhowsentencesaregiven.Studieshaveshownthatmandatorypenaltieshaveeithernodeterrenttocrimeorshort-termeffectsonly14,anddonothingtoreducedrugdealingactivity15.Mandatoryminimumsworsendisparitiesbetweenwhiteandminorityoffenderpunishments,comparedtowhenjudges
5MandatoryMinimumSentences:HandcuffingthePrisonerortheJudge?AmericanJudgesAssociationAnnualEducationalConference,October20146FewerPrisoners,LessCrime:ATaleofThreeStates,TheSentencingProject,July2014.7MandatorySentencingWasOnceAmerica'sLaw-And-OrderPanacea.Here'sWhyIt'sNotWorking,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums
8MajorProgressforFixingCruelDrugWarPrisonSentences,Alternet,January20149FormerFederalJudgeRegrets55-YearMarijuanaSentence,ABCNewsNightline,February201510MandyMartinson,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums(FAMM)11Widower'sLament:ChangeSentencingLaws,TheDesMoinesRegister,May201512TheLong,SlowPushtoPrisonSentencingReform,MSNBC,April201413ClarenceAaron,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums14TheConsequencesofMandatoryMinimumPrisonTerms:ASummaryofRecentFindings,FederalJudicialCenter,FederalJudicialCenter,1994.
15PopulationGrowthinU.S.Prisons,1980-1996,AlfredBlumstein&AllenJ.Beck,Crime&Just.17,57(1999),
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havediscretion16.AreportbyaUSSentencingcommissionin1991indicatedthatalldefenselawyers,andnearlyhalfofprosecutorshadobjectionstomandatoryminimums17.
ThisbegantobealleviatedaftertheSupremeCourt’s2005decisioninBookerv.UnitedStates,whichpermittedfederaljudgesthefreedomtosetsentencesregardlessofmandatoryminimums18.Presently25%percentofoffendersreceivingsentencesbelowtheminimum,butwithminoritiesreceivingmuchhighersentences19.FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimumshascompiledacompletelistofallfederalmandatoryminimumsentencinglaws20.
AccordingtotheCongressionalResearchService,mandatoryminimumshavesignificantlycontributedtoovercrowdingandracialdisparitiesintheBureauofPrisons(BOP),whichoperatesat36%overcapacity21.Morethanhalfoffederalprisonersareservingtimeforadruglawviolation22.
Thenin2014theSenateJudiciaryCommitteepassedtheSmarterSentencingAct,whichwasintroducedtoCongressinFebruary201523.Thenewlawwouldgivefederaljudgesmorediscretioninignoringmandatoryminimumsfornon-violentdrugoffenders24.ThisisneededbecauseofcurrentlawssuchastheArmedCareerCriminalAct(ACCA,18U.S.C.§924(e)),whichassignsa15-yearmandatoryminimumsentenceforgunownerwiththreepriorconvictionsfordrugtraffickingorviolentfelonies,eveniftheseconvictionsareveryold,nonviolent,minor,resultedfromadrugaddiction,orresultedinnoprisontime25.
16RacialDisparitiesundertheFederalSentencingGuidelines:TheRoleofJudicialDiscretionandMandatoryMinimums,NorthwesternUniversity,2012
17DrugLawsandSnitching:APrimer,Frontline.18JudgesUse'Booker'RulingforSentencingFlexibility,NationalPublicRadio,May200519MandatoryMinimumPenalties:ConclusionsandRecommendations,201120FederalMandatoryMinimums,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums,August201321TheFederalPrisonPopulationBuildup:Overview,PolicyChanges,Issues,andOptions,CongressionalResearchService,2014
22MajorProgressforFixingCruelDrugWarPrisonSentences,Alternet,January201423U.S.HouseandSenateReintroducean*EvenSmarter*SmarterSentencingAct,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums,February2015.
24Lee,DurbinIntroduceSmarterSentencingActof2015,PressRelease25GunMandatoryMinimumSentences,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums
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Reduced Mandatory Sentences In2010,morethan25%of73,239federalconvictionsrequiredamandatoryminimumsentence26.Mandatoryminimumsentencingdistortsthelegalsystembecauseprosecutorsuseunrealisticallylongsentencestopressuredrugcriminalstopleadguilty27.
Prisonalsomakesoffenderslessabletopaydebt,creatinga“revolvingdoor”ofrepeatedjailtime.Theaverageincarceratedparentwithachildsupportcaseisbehind$10,000onpaymentsandleavesprisonbehindby$20,00028.
Recently,thetrendofgreaterpunishmentshasgoneintoreverse,with67%ofAmericanssayingthattreatment,notprosecution,shouldbehowtheUnitedStateshandlesillegaldrugusers,accordingtoaPewStudy29.TheSupremeCourtruledthatmandatorydeathpenaltiesareunconstitutionalbecausetheyfailtotakeintoaccountthecharacterofthedefendantandhisorherrecord30.
Afterdecadesoftoughsentencinglawsinthe“WaronDrugs”,in2013AttorneyGeneralEricHolderannouncedthatthefederalgovernmentwouldnolongerrequiremandatoryminimumsinallcases,andwouldreleasesomenonviolentelderlyprisoners31,32.
Stateshavegoneevenfurther.Between2009and2013,40statestooksomeactiontoeasetheirdruglaws33.Asaresult31stateshaveseenprisonratesdeclinefrom447to413per100,000people34.
AlabamaIn2006,theAlabamaSentencingCommissioncalledforreformonmandatoryminimums35.Alabama’snewsentencingguidelinesfornon-violentoffendersrelaxconsecutivesentencing36appliedunderthehabitualoffenderact37.
AlabamaS67(2015)lowerspenaltiesforsomedrugoffenses.
26CruelandUnusual:U.S.SentencingPracticesinaGlobalContext,UniversityofSanFranciscoSchoolofLaw,May201227TheOutOfControlWarOnDrugs:HowSentencingRulesForceDefendantsToPleadGuilty,Forbes,December201328ChildSupportProfile:MassachusettsIncarceratedandParoledParents,CenterforPolicyResearch,May200229FedsMayBeRethinkingtheDrugWar,ButStatesHaveBeenLeadingtheWay,PewCenter,April201430CruelandUnusual:U.S.SentencingPracticesinaGlobalContext,UniversityofSanFranciscoSchoolofLaw,May201231HolderAnnouncesFederalDrug-SentencingChangesAlreadyinManyStates,ThePewCharitableTrusts,August201332AttorneyGeneralEricHolderDeliversRemarksattheAnnualMeetingoftheAmericanBarAssociation'sHouseofDelegates,TheUnitedStatesDepartmentofJustice,August2013
33TrendsinSentencingandCorrections:StateLegislation,NationalConferenceofStateLegislatures,August2013.34FedsMayBeRethinkingtheDrugWar,ButStatesHaveBeenLeadingtheWay,PewCenter,April201435AddressingtheCrisis:ChartingtheCourseforReform,AlabamaSentencingCommission36NewSentencingGuidelinestoImpactNon-violentOffenders,DothanEagle,September201337AlabamaCode-Section13A-5-9:HABITUALFELONYOFFENDERS-ADDITIONALPENALTIES
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ArkansasIn2011,ArkansasSB750reducedmandatoryminimumpenaltiesfordrugpossessionanddrugdistribution38,39.
GeorgiaGeorgia’s2012prisonreformlaw,HB1176,reducedthemandatorysentenceforpossessionofverysmallamountsofdrugs40.
IndianaIndianaHB1892(2001)eliminatedmandatoryminimumsforcertainnonviolentdrugoffenses,gavejudgesdiscretiontosentenceoffenderstohomedetentionorworkrelease,andmadesomeoffenderseligibleforearlyrelease41.
IndianaSB358(2001)exempteddrugoffenderswithnoothertypesofconvictionsfromthe“threestrikes”law,aslongastheydonothavemorethanonetraffickingconviction.
IndianaHB1006(2013)reducedthesizeoftheschoolzonefordrugoffensesthattriggermandatoryminimums42,43andgenerallyloweredpenaltiesforsmalleramountsofdrugs.
IowaIn2014,theIowaSupremeCourtstruckdownjuvenilemandatorysentencinglawsasunconstitutional44.Thoseservingmandatorysentenceshadhigherrecidivismratesthanoffenderswhowerewaived,accordingtoanIowastudy45.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s2011law,HB463,reducedtheschoolzonesthattriggermandatorydrugsentences46.
KansasKansasisoneofonlythreestates(alongwithAlaskaandNewMexico)thatalwaysincludethechanceforparolenomatteracrime'sseverity47.
38ArkansasSentencingCommission39SentencingStandardsGrid-OffenseSeriousnessRankingsandRelatedMaterial,ArkansasSentencingCommission,December2011
40GovernortoSignSweepingJusticeReformBill,AJC.com,May201241StateoftheStates:DrugPolicyReforms1996-2002,DrugPolicyAlliance,September2003.42GovernortoSignSweepingJusticeReformBill,AJC.com,May201243HB1006-AmendstheCriminalCode-KeyVote,VoteSmart.44IowaSupremeCourtStrikesDownMandatoryMinimumSentencesforChildren,EqualJusticeInitiative,August201445FinalReport:OutcomesofMandatoryMinimumSentencesforDrugTraffickers,IowaDepartmentofHumanRightsandDivisionofCriminalandJuvenileJusticePlanning,October2011
46ibid47Isn'tOneLifeSentenceEnough?Slate,August2005.
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LouisianaIn2001,LouisianaSB239/Act403(2001)reducedorremovedmandatoryminimumsentencesforsomenonviolentdrugoffenses,includingremovingtherequirementofalifesentenceforsellingheroin,evenasafirst-timeoffense.Itloweredmandatorysentencesforrepeatoffendersandeliminatedapplicationofthethreestrikeslawstoallfelonies.
LouisianaHB191(2010)disallowedjuveniledrughistoriestoenhancesentencesforanadultfelonyconviction.
In2012,LouisianaHB1068allowedprosecutorstowaivemandatoryminimumprisontermsfornon-violent,non-sexoffenses48,49.
LouisianaH149(2015)reducessentencesforsomedrugoffenses.
MississippiMississippiSB5exemptednon-violentdrugoffenders(exceptsales)andothernon-violentoffendersfromthestate’srequirementthatinmatesserveatleast85percentoftheirimposedprisonsentence.
MissouriMissouriSB628(2012)reducedthequantityofdrugsthattriggeramandatoryminimumsentence50.
MontanaMontanaHB174eliminatedmandatoryminimumsforfirst-timeoffendersconvictedofdrugpossession,andMontanaHB191eliminatesprovisionsprovidingformandatoryrevocationofdriver’slicensesforpeopleunder21whobuy,possess,orusealegalorillegalintoxicatingsubstance.
NorthCarolina
NorthCarolinaH368(2014)reducedfromaclass1misdemeanortoaclass3misdemeanorthepenaltyforpossessionofmarijuanadrugparaphernalia.
NorthDakotaNorthDakotaHB1364(2001)repealedmandatoryminimumsforfirst-timedrugoffenders51,andNorthDakotaS2029(2015)removestherequirementofaminimum18-monthprobationsentenceforfirsttimedrugoffenders.
48LouisianaLegislatureTakesStepsTowardReducingIncarcerationforNonviolentCrimes,TheTimes-Picayune,June2012
49PlaybookforChange?StatesReconsiderMandatorySentences,VeraInstituteofJustice,April201450RecentState-LevelReformstoMandatoryMinimumLaws,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums,June2013
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NorthDakotaH1394(2015)removedtheenhancedpenaltyforpossessionofmarijuanaonschoolpropertyiftheoffenseinvolveslessthanoneounce.
NorthDakotaH1367(2015)capedtosupervisedprobationaninitialsentenceatfiveyearsandtotalprobationat10yearsforafelonycommittedwhilearmed,andclarifiedthatfelonyandmisdemeanorprobationsentencescannotexceedthemaximumlengthofimprisonmentauthorizedbylaw.
OklahomaOklahoma’sJusticeSafetyValveActin2015allowedjudgestoignoremandatoryminimumsentencingthatwouldpostaninjusticetothedefendant52.
SouthCarolinaS1154,a2010SouthCarolinalawremoveda10-yearmandatoryminimumsentenceforschoolzoneviolationsindrugoffenses,restoredthepossibilityofprobationfordrugpossessionconvictions,andeliminatedmandatoryminimumsentencesforfirstconvictionsofsimpledrugpossession53,54.Subsequently,thestate’sviolentcrimeratefrom2009to2011droppedfrom68to60per10,000residents55.
SouthDakotaSouthDakotaS70(2013)decreasedpenaltiesfordrugoffenses.
UtahUtahH348(2015)reducedpenaltiesfordrugpossessionandsomeotherdrugoffensesandcreatedgraduatedpenaltiesforsubsequentconvictions.
WyomingWyomingS38(2015)expandedeligibilityfordeferredprosecutionforfirsttimedrugoffenderstoincludeoffensesrelatedtouseorbeingundertheinfluenceofacontrolledsubstance.
51PlaybookforChange?StatesReconsiderMandatorySentences,VeraInstituteofJustice,April201452OklahomaGovernorSignsBilltoGiveJudgesMoreDiscretioninSentencing,TheOklahoman,May2015.53WhatFloridaCan(AndShould!)LearnFromSouthCarolina,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums,March201554PlaybookforChange?StatesReconsiderMandatorySentences,VeraInstituteofJustice,April201455CriminalJusticeLawReforminSouthCarolina:FrontEndReforms,SubstantialSavings,ACLU.
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Enhanced Judge Discretion on Mandatory Sentences Georgia
In2013,GeorgialawHB349gavejudgestheleewaytoreducesentencesforsomedrugoffenses,butthereasonsforthedeparturemustbestated.Judgesmayalsowaiveamandatoryminimumwhentheprosecutoranddefendanthaveagreedonareducedsentence56,57.
Idaho
IdahoS1151(2013)permitsacourttoreduceafelonyconvictiontoamisdemeanoruponcompletionofprobationundersomecircumstances.
IndianaIndianaHB1892(2001)allowedjudgestosentencetodrugtreatmentinsteadofprisonthosewhoselldrugssolelytosupporttheirhabit.
Iowa
IowaSF543(2001)givesjudgesdiscretionwhensentencing“ClassD”felonyoffenderstoadeterminatesentenceandIowaH2450(2014)increasesfundingfordrugcourts.
KansasKansasH2154(2015)allowsacourttousemilitaryinjuriesasabasistodepartfromsentencingguidelines.
Kentucky
KentuckyH265(2012)saysthatmorethan$6.8millionweresavedfrompreviousstatereformstodrugsentencing.
LouisianaLouisianaHB1068(2012)whichlaterbecameAct160,allowsjudgestowaivemandatoryminimumswithprosecutorialapprovalandadefendantguiltyplea58.Inthiscaseajudgemayreduceasentences,lowerthefine,oreffectivelyreduceasentencebyincludingitin
56HB349SignedintoLawin2013,BlackLawOffices,May201357PlaybookforChange?StatesReconsiderMandatorySentences,VeraInstituteofJustice,April201458LouisianaLegislatureTakesStepsTowardReducingIncarcerationforNonviolentCrimes,June2012.
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parole,probation,orasentencesuspension.Violentandsex-relatedoffendersareineligible.
LouisianaHB442(2013)addsa“safetyvalve”sothatacourtmayordereligibledefendantstoparticipateinasubstanceabuseprobationprograminsteadofincarceration,iftheoffenderisnotdeemedathreattosociety.
MississippiMississippiH585(2014)permitsthecourttodeviatefromaminimumsentenceforcertaindrugoffenses.
Montana
MontanaH33(2015)expandsmentalhealthcrisisinterventionandjaildiversionservices,andrevisestherequirementsoftheseprograms.
NorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaH641(2013)givesthecourtdiscretiononwhetherornottoorderaconditionaldischargeforafirstconvictionofcertaindrugoffenses.
NorthDakotaNorthDakotaH1030(2015)authorizesacourttodepartfrommandatoryminimumsentencesfordrugcrimesfordefendantsnotathreattothecommunitywhowereunarmed.
NorthDakotaS2029(2015)givesajudgediscretiontosetthesentencelengthforfirst-timedrugoffenders.
OklahomaOklahomaH1518(2015)authorizescourtstodepartfrommandatoryminimumsentencesforanonviolenceoffensewherethedefendantposesnodangertothepublic.Drugtraffickingandfirearmsoffensesareexcluded.
TexasTexasHB1610(2007)allowsjudgestoreduceafelonytoaClassAmisdemeanor,orplaceadefendantintocommunitysupervisiontoensurethattheoffenderreceivestreatment.59
59Highlightsofthe80thTexasLegislature,SenateResearchCenter,September2007.
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Risk Assessment Programs Transitionaljobprogramsthatbeginjustafterprisonreleasehavebeenfoundtoreducerecidivismandincreaseearningsforseveralyears.60Statescanalsolimitdisqualificationsforlicensedemploymentandoffertaxincentivestoemployerswhohirefelons.61
TheRiskResponsivityNeedModelhasbeenshowntoreducerecidivismby16%:
• The“riskprinciple”intervenesinawayrelatingtotheoffender’sriskforre-offense.• The“needprinciple”targetstheoffender’scriminogenicneedssuchasantisocial
attitudesorsubstanceabuse.• The“responsivityprinciple”usescognitivebehavioraltherapyandsociallearningto
redirecttheoffender’sabilitiesandmotivation
AlabamaAlabama11(2015)formedthe“CriminalJusticeOversightandImplementationCouncil”,whichisrequiredtodevelopevidence-basedpoliciesandanalyzedataforperformance-basedfunding.
AlabamaS67(2015)requiresthatpresentenceinvestigationreportsincluderiskandneedsassessmentresults.Supervisionandtreatmentofprobationersandparoleesmustincludeariskassessmentwithevidence-basedpracticesandresourcesfocusedonthehighestriskoffenders.Theparoleboardmuststudyandsetrisk-basedstandards.
Arkansas
ArkansasSB750(2011)requiresarisk-needsassessmentofallparoleapplicants,usingevidence-basedpracticesthattargetcriminalriskfactors.Itfundsevidence-basedprogramstocreatebestpractices,providesincentivesforsupervisorstoimplementriskreduction,andrequiresannualreports.
SupplementalfundswereaddedinArkansasHB1156andHB1011(2014)andS1042(2015)addedannualtrainingforparoleboardmembersindata-driven,riskassessmentdecision-making62.
GeorgiaGeorgiaH328(2015)increasesparoleeligibilityfordrugoffendersbasedonriskassessment.
60PaternalIncarcerationandSupportforChildreninFragileFamilies,Demography48(1),February2011.61PaternalIncarcerationandSupportforChildreninFragileFamilies,Demography48(1),February2011.62JusticeReinvestment–Arkansas,2015
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IdahoIdahoS1357(2014)requirespresentenceinvestigationreports,supervision,drugtreatment,andparoleboardstouseevidence-basedpracticesthattargetanoffender'scriminalriskandneedsfactors.
IdahoH648(2012)requirespre-sentencescreeningandassessmentofdefendantsconvictedofafelonytoidentifysubstanceabuseormentalhealthtreatmentneeds.
KansasKansasH2318(2012)specifiesthatoffenderswillbegivensupervisionandcourtservicessuchasdrugtreatmentbasedonresultofacriminalriskassessment.
KansasH2051(2015)makeseligibilityforcommunitycorrectionsprogramsbasedonriskassessments,andKansasH2448(2014)makesithardertorefuseearlyreleaseforlowriskoffenders.
Kentucky
KentuckyHB46363(2011)andKentuckyH54(2012)requireconsiderationofariskandneedsassessmentforsupervisionandtreatmentprograms.
LouisianaLouisianaHB239(2001)createdtheLouisianaRiskReviewPaneltoreviewrecordsofinmatesconvictedofnonviolentoffensesinordertomakerecommendationstotheparoleandpardonboards.
LouisianaHB543(2012)allowsnonviolent,low-riskoffenderssentencedtolifewithoutparoletobecomeeligibleforparoleifmeetingcertainriskassessmentcriteria64.
LouisianaS94(2013)requiresriskandneedsassessmentforarraignment,sentencing,andtodetermineeligibilityforspecialtycourts.
LouisianaH196(2014)allowsworkreleasebasedonariskassessment,andLouisianaS252(2014)givesariskandneedsassessmenttooltobeusedwhendeterminingsentences,withLouisianaS398(2014)thesamebutrelatingtodrugcourts,andLouisianaH670(2014)thesamebutrelatingtoparole.
Mississippi
MississippiH585(2014)requiresriskandneedsassessmentsforparole,supervision,offenderservices,drugcourtoperation,andtrainingofcommunitycorrectionsemployees.63KentuckyLegislatureHB463,2011.64ParoleReforminLouisiana–HouseBill543isNowLaw,ParoleNow,June2012.
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NebraskaNebraskaL598(2015),withfundsappropriatedinNebraskaLA598(2015)requiresthecorrectionsdirectoradoptrules,consistentwithprofessionalstandards,andprovidestafftrainingoninmateriskassessmentandmanagement.Italsorequiresadoptionofevidence-basedcriteriatoidentifyinmatesnearingreleasewhoshouldbeevaluatedformentalillness.
NebraskaL605(2015),withfundsappropriateinNebraskaLA605(2015)requirescommunitysupervisionandtreatmentbeevidence-based,withresourcesfocusedonmoderate-andhigh-riskoffenders.
OklahomaOklahomaHB3052(2012)establishesanewstate-fundedgrantprogramtoimplementdata-drivenstrategiestoreduceviolentcrimeandapresentenceriskandneedsscreeningprocesstohelpguidesentencingdecisionsrelatedtotreatmentandsupervision.
OklahomaH1109(2013)allowsadefendanttosubmittoarisk,mentalhealthandsubstanceabuseassessmentafteraninitialappearance,ratherthanpriortosentencing.
OklahomaS1720(2014)requiresprobationsupervisorstoconductsubstanceabuseandcriminalriskandneedsassessmentsindevelopingatreatmentplan.
OklahomaH1518(2015)makessentenceslowerthanthemandatoryminimumpossiblebasedonariskassessment.
SouthDakotaSouthDakotaS70(2013)requiresriskandneedsassessmentforparole,supervisionandinterventionpriorities,withevidence-basedtrainingforparoleboardmembers,magistrates,judgesandprobationandparoleofficers.
TennesseeTennesseeH1374(2015)requiresdrugforinmatesbasedonariskassessment.
TexasTexasS213(2013)requiresthecorrectionsdepartmenttoadoptastandardizedriskandneedsassessmentinstrument.
UtahUtahH348(2015)requiresriskandneedsassessmentresultsbeincludedinpresentenceinvestigationreports,plansforoffendersinprisonoroncommunitysupervision,andintreatmentpriorities,includingacceptanceintodrugcourt.
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Enhanced Rehabilitation Programs Alternativestoprisontimeincludedrugcourts,mentalhealthcourts,probation,communitycorrections,halfwayhouses,electronichomemonitoring,communityservices,andmore,whichstrengthenfamiliesbyenablingoffenderstobepresentforemotionalsupport,childcare,andtoearnforchildsupport65.
AlabamaAlabamaS63(2012)addsjobtrainingprogramstoprisons.
AlabamaS108(2014)authorizesexpungementofafelonyrecordforsuccessfulcompletionofadrugcourtprogram,mentalhealthcourtprogram,diversionprogram,veteran'scourt,oranycourt-approveddeferredprosecutionprogramafteroneyearfromsuccessfulcompletion.
AlabamaS67(2015)addsbehavioralandsubstanceabusetreatmentasauthorizedconditionsofprobationandparolesupervision.Italsocreatesapilotprogramforsmallbusinessdevelopmentbyex-offenders.
Alaska
AlaskaS64(2014)promotestransitionalre-entryprograms,includingcasemanagement,soberliving,substanceabuseandmentalhealthtreatment,andrequiringemployment,educationalprogramming,vocationaltrainingorcommunityvolunteerwork.
Arkansas
ArkansasSB750(2011)allowsoffenderstoearnearlyreleaseandallowsnonviolentparoleestocompletesentencesearly,forcomplyingwithcertainconditions.
ArkansashasWorkCourt,aworkprogramthatisofferedinlieuofaconvictionfornonviolentfirsttimeoffenderstosaveapotentiallydevastatingmarkontheirrecord.Theypayrestitutionduringthisprogram,learnjobskillsandreceivea"readytowork"certificateuponcompletion66.
ArkansasS200(2015)allowsinmatestobereleasedupto18monthsearlyintoacommunitycorrectionsdepartmentforareentryprogramofatleast6months67.
65AlternativestoIncarcerationinaNutshell,FamiliesAgainstMandatoryMinimums,August2013.66WorkCourt,TraceyRisley,Deputy,ArkansasCourtServices67StateSentencingandCorrectionsLegislation,NationalConferenceofStateLegislatures,November2015.
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GeorgiaGeorgiaS365(2014)requirestheboardofcorrectionstodevelopandimplementprogramstoassistoffenderswithreentry,andauthorizestheprogramstoprovideeducation,vocationaltraining,socialandbehavioralprograms,substanceabusecounseling,mentoring,financialplanning,physicalandmentalhealthprograms,andhousingandfederalassistance.
Indiana
IndianaS171(2014)permitsthecommissionerofthedepartmentofcorrectiontoawardadditionalfinancialaidtocountieswithanapprovedcommunitysupervisioncollaborationplan,andIndianaS235(2014)andIndianaH1268aimtoreducerecidivismbyprovidingmentalhealthandforensictreatmentservices.
IndianaS173(2015)establishesavocationalprogramtotrainminimumsecurityinmatesinplumbing,airconditioning,truckdriving,andmore.
IndianaS461(2015)authorizesthehealthdepartmenttoenterintopartnershipstoencouragebestpracticesindrugtreatmentforinmates,andIndianaS464(2015)andIndianaH1304(2015)bothallowaddictioncounseling,inpatientdetoxification,casemanagement,dailylivingskills,andlongactingnon-addictivemedicationtoberequiredasconditionsofparole,probation,communitycorrections,pretrialdiversion,oraproblemsolvingcourt.
IndianaH1269(2015)requiresthecriminaljusticedepartmenttoassistaninmatestofindmentalhealthorsubstanceabusetreatmentuponreleasefromincarceration.
IowaIowaH2460(2014)requiresthatoffendersbegivenjobskilltrainingandIowaH2463doesthesameformentalhealthservices.
Kansas
KansasH2051(2015)increasestheearlyreleasecreditofupto90daysfordrugoffendersforprogramparticipation.
KentuckyKentuckyHB46368,passedin2011,requiresmandatoryreentrysupervisionandpostincarcerationsupervision.KentuckyH265(2012)createsnewsubstanceabusetreatmentprogramsandKentuckyS78(2013)clarifiesgoodtimecreditsgivenforeducationalanddrugtreatmentprogramcompletion.68KentuckyLegislatureHB463,1011
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LouisianaLouisianaH228(2012),LouisianaHB59(2013),LouisianaHB442(2013)allowoffenderstoearncredittowardsearlyreleasebyvoluntarilyparticipatinginarehabilitationprogramsincludingeducation,jobtraining,valuesandfaith-basedprograms,therapeuticprograms,anddrugtreatment.Eachprogramcompletedreducesasentenceby90daystoamaximumof360days.Violentandsexcrimeoffendersareineligible69,70.LouisianaS71(2013)evenallowstheoriginalchargestobedismisseduponprogramcompletioninsomecircumstances.LouisianaH994(2012)increases“goodtime”creditsthatcanbeearned.
LouisianaH442(2013)establishesasubstanceabuseprobationprogram,andLouisianaH274(2014)allowsparticipationinasubstanceabusetreatmentprogramtobeusedwhendecidingwhetheranoffendercantakepartinaworkreleaseprogram.LouisianaH781(2014)providesreentryprogramstooffendershousedinlocaljails.
LouisianaSCR138(2015)andLouisianaHR203(2015)requeststrategiestogiveincarceratedoffendersbettereducation,jobskills,training,andmentalhealthcare.
LouisianaH271(2015)allowsprobationforuptoeightyearsforoffendersparticipatingindrugdiversionorsobrietycourt,whichinvolverehabilitation,andLouisianaH381(2015)enhancesbehavioralhealthservices.
Louisiana
MissouriMissouriH1318(2012)establishesamentalhealthprogram,andMissouriH10(2013),MissouriH2010(2014),andMissouriH10(2015)appropriatefundstothementalhealthdepartmenttocontactwithaserviceproviderforanevidence-basedprogramdesignedtoreducerecidivismamongoffenderswithserioussubstanceabusedisordersreturningtothecommunityafterprison,includingmedication-assistedtreatment.MissouriH9(2013)doesthesamefortheDepartmentofCorrectionsforoffenderrehabilitativeservices.
MontanaMontanaH68(2013)establishedstatewidereentryprogramsforoffenderswithin12monthsofreleasefromprisonwhoareatahighriskofrecidivism.
MontanaH233(2013)allowscourtstostaytheimpositionofasentencewhilethedefendantgoesthroughasobrietyprogram.
69SmartonSentencing,SmartonCrime:AnArgumentforReformingLouisiana’sDeterminateSentencingLaws,ReasonFoundation,2013.
70LouisianaGov.BobbyJindalSignsLawtoShiftDrugOffendersfromJailtoRehab,TheTimes-Picayune,June2013.
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NebraskaNebraskaL504(2015)addsasubstanceabuseevaluationtopresentencereports,andNebraskaL598(2015)requiresmentallyilloffendersbetreatedwithacommunitystandardofmentalhealthcare.
NebraskaL483(2013)offersparenteducation,earlyliteracy,relationshipskillsdevelopmentandreentryplanningtooffenders.
NewHampshireNewHampshireH649(2014)createsearned-timecreditsforinmatesasone-timecreditforcompletionofeducational,vocationalmentalhealthorfamilyconnectionscenterprograms.Permitsinmatestobeawardedearned-timecredits,inadditiontoothercreditsauthorizedbylaw,andNewHampshireH1442(2014)createsmentalhealthcourts.
NorthCarolina
NorthCarolinaH97(2015)establishedmentalhealthbehaviortreatmentunitsateightclosecustodyprisons.
OklahomaOklahomaHB3052(2012)mandatessupervisionforalladultsreleasedfromprison71.
SouthCarolinaSouthCarolinaS426(2015)authorizeslocaldistrictattorneystoestablishpreand/orpost-adjudicatorymentalhealthcourtprograms.
TennesseeTennesseeH1374(2015)requiresopioidaddictiontreatment,includingnon-narcoticmedication-assistedtreatmentforinmates.
TexasTexasS200(2015)makescertaindrugoffenderseligibleforthefederalSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram.TexasS1070(2015)authorizesthecourttowaivearequirementthatprobationersconvictedofcertaindrugoffensescompletearehabilitativeeducationalprogramiftheoffenderhascompletededucationaltraininginacorrectionalresidentialfacility.
TexasH2649(2011)awardsearned-timecredittoinmatesinstatejailsbycompletingeducational,vocational,ortreatmentprograms72,andTexasH1546(2015)streamlinestheprocess.71Oklahoma,JusticeCenterofTheCouncilofStateGovernments.
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TexasS345(2013)requiresprisonstoencouragefaithbasedandvolunteerorganizationstoprovideprisonprograms.TexasS1173(2013)doesthesameforpost-releasecommunityprograms.
TexasH1908(2015)requiresthatoffenderswithseverementalillnessbeidentifiedandmadeeligibleforthecontinuityofcaresystem,andTexasH2189(2015)doesthesameforthedevelopmentallydisabled.
AspartoftheTexasFragileFamiliesinitiative,inmatesinjuveniledetentionwithchildrenreceiveeducationaboutparenting.
UtahUtahH348(2015)createscreditsforprobationersandparoleeswhocomplywithsupervisionrulesthatreducelengthofsupervisionby30dayspermonth.Itrequireslocaljailshousingstateinmatestomeetminimumstandardsfortreatmentprograms,andestablishesearnedtimeforcertaininmateswhocompleterecidivismreductionprogramsbyfourmonthspercompletion,whileauthorizingtheparoleboardtograntadditionalearnedtime.
72StateJailDiligentParticipationCredit,TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice.