Www.pewcenteronthestates.com Slide 1 of 45 Georgia Corrections System Assessment August 25, 2011 Len...

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Georgia Corrections System AssessmentGeorgia Corrections System AssessmentAugust 25, 2011August 25, 2011

Len Engel- Managing Associate for PolicyLen Engel- Managing Associate for PolicyCrime and Justice Institute at CRJCrime and Justice Institute at CRJ


Evidence-Based Practices

Key Questions

How the system is structured

Components of System Assessment

1) GDC Prisons

2) GDC Probation

3) Pardons and Paroles

4) Accountability Courts

AgendaAgenda


Evidence-based PracticesEvidence-based Practices

• Practices proven to reduce the risk of reoffending: Use of a validated risk and needs assessment tool to identify and

target risk and need factors associated with criminal behaviorUse a supervision strategy that matches the risk level of offenders

and focus supervision resources on higher risk offenders

Target interventions (EBP programs and services) to the crime-causing needs of offenders and direct assessed offenders to programs and services that address these needs

Collect data and information to track offender outcomes and ensure that what is in place is working


Key QuestionsKey Questions

• Are Georgia’s laws, policies and practices focused on reducing recidivism and improving public safety?– Is Georgia focusing its resources on moderate and

high risk offenders?– Is Georgia targeting programs to offender needs?– Is Georgia evaluating the outcomes of their

programs?


How the system is structured:How the system is structured:


Source: Department of Corrections, Board of Pardons & Paroles, Office of Planning and Budget

GA Corrections Costs-Per Day

The Pew Charitable Trusts Prepared by Applied Research Services


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewMission, Population, and StaffMission, Population, and Staff

• Mission statement

– The Georgia Department of Corrections protects and serves the public as a professional organization by effectively managing offenders while helping to provide a safe and secure environment for the citizens of Georgia.

• Inmate population 53,120 (this number doesn’t include the jail backlog awaiting prison beds, currently at 3,374)

– 13,800 minimum security

– 29,288 medium security

– 8,507 close security

– 1,525 no classification

• Staff: 12,299 total GDC staff (not just prisons)

Source: GDC Inmate count by sec level and institution as of 7-20-11

www.pewcenteronthestates.comSlide 8 of 45Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewPrison Admissions by Type of AdmissionPrison Admissions by Type of Admission

The Pew Charitable Trusts Prepared by Applied Research Services July 2011


56%

20%25%

66%

34% 34% 34%

25%

8%

24%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

No Priors 1 Prior 2+ Priors Non-Violent Violent Person Property Drug Other Mental Health

Crime TypePrior Prison Episodes Crime Type Categories Mental Health

1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: Overview2010 Prison Admissions2010 Prison Admissions

The Pew Charitable Trusts Prepared by Applied Research Services July 2011


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewTypes of FacilitiesTypes of Facilities• 31 state prisons: 3 for women

– 3 main security levels: Close Security, Medium Security, Minimum Security

• 3 Pre-Release Centers (PRC)– Secure environment for offenders with 5 years or less to serve

• 13 Transitional Centers– Approx 2,700 beds; provides work release; average 9-12 months length of stay

• One Boot Camp for 256 state prison males– Board of Pardons and Paroles chooses who will attend from prison population

– 3-4 month program; those who complete successfully released on parole

• Contracted facilities– 23 county prisons; interagency agreements to lease over 5,000 beds in county prisons to

hold state offenders

– 2 Private Prisons; 5,376 offenders


Source: Georgia Department of Corrections ARS July 2011

State PrisonsState Prisons

Pre-Release CentersPre-Release Centers

Inmate Boot CampsInmate Boot Camps

Parole Revocation CentersParole Revocation Centers

Transitional CentersTransitional Centers

Probation Detention CentersProbation Detention Centers

Probation Boot CampsProbation Boot Camps

Probation RSAT CentersProbation RSAT Centers

County PrisonsCounty Prisons

Private PrisonsPrivate Prisons

38,48338,483

644644

218218

419419

2,6242,624

2,2592,259

100100

768768

5,0315,031

5,8735,873

107107%%

101101%%

9595%%

9191%%

101101%%

9898%%

9898%%

9898%%

9999%%

9898%%

Offenders Offenders (In a Bed)(In a Bed)

OperationaOperational Capacityl Capacity

1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewCustody Population and Utilization 7/1/11Custody Population and Utilization 7/1/11


2011201120002000 20052005 20162016

8% projected

growth in

5 years

8% projected

growth in

5 years

59,68459,684

1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewHistorical Prison Population And Baseline ProjectionHistorical Prison Population And Baseline Projection



Day 1Day 1 Day 2Day 2 Day 3Day 3 Day 4Day 4 Day 5Day 5

Day 6Day 6

Diagnostic Process for Typical Offender Diagnostic Process for Typical Offender (no special MH or medical needs/issues – approx. 75-80% of incoming inmates)(no special MH or medical needs/issues – approx. 75-80% of incoming inmates)

• ReceptionReception• Medical ScreenMedical Screen• Blood workBlood work• MH ScreenMH Screen• OrientationOrientation• Bed Assignment Bed Assignment

• Educational TestingEducational Testing• Orientation VideosOrientation Videos• COMPAS/TCUDSCOMPAS/TCUDS

• Physical ExamPhysical Exam• DentalDental

Medical Profile Medical Profile

EnteredEntered

• Parole PHS Parole PHS • Final InterviewFinal Interview

• Security Classifica-Security Classifica-

tion Approvaltion Approval• Re-Entry PlanRe-Entry Plan• Diagnostic Director Diagnostic Director

ReviewReview

Source: ARS GDCP Time-In-Motion and Simulation Study June 2011 Source: ARS GDCP Time-In-Motion and Simulation Study June 2011

1. GDC Prisons: OverviewRevised Intake/Diagnostic Process

Eliminated 2 days of idle time

Inmate Ready for Inmate Ready for Transfer AssignmentTransfer Assignment


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewReentryReentry

• Reentry planning process

– Reentry Case Plan is initiated at entry and Reentry Checklist includes exit preparation for 2 years prior to release

• Case planning, housing/residence plan, and employment support are addressed by prison staff at intervals of 24 months, 12 months and 1 month of their parole or release date

– Reentry plan determined according to COMPAS and TCUDS results

– Results determine programming needs (Educational, Vocational, SA, CBT)

– Also determine Parole /probation requirements and eligibility

» Also influenced by in-facility behavior

– Transitional dormitories within state prisons for offenders not eligible for transition centers (or no space in centers)

• Within 12 months of maximum release date, inmates are isolated from the rest of the prison population and receive intensive training and work to focus on reentry skills

Source: GDC Reentry Standard Operating Procedures Source: GDC Reentry Standard Operating Procedures


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewProgrammingProgramming

• Programs offered in facilities• Motivation for change: pre-requisite for participation in other programs

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy programs: MRT, T4C, D.E.T.O.U.R., Reentry Skill Building (Life Skills)

• Substance Abuse programs: Matrix Early Recovery Skills, Matrix Relapse Prevention, PSATC/RSATC, Substance Abuse Aftercare Services

• Education programs: Literacy/Remedial Reading, Adult Edu, GED, ESL (English as a Second Language)

• Employment programs: Voc training, TOPPSTEP, On The Job Training, Live Work Projects, Offender Career Centers, Work Release (Transitional Centers), Braille

• Other programs: including Mental Health treatment, sex offender treatment and faith based dormitories (in some facilities), In House Transitional Centers


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewCoastal State PrisonCoastal State Prison

• Coastal State Prison: Intensive Reentry Program targeted at non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues

• For admission, sentence length must be less than 24 months

• Current offense cannot be for burglary, drug trafficking, methamphetamine manufacture; No violent felony charges, No sex offenses, No major medical/mental health issues, No pending charges or active warrants

• No recidivists sentenced under habitual offender law

• One referral per inmate for life

– Programming/Groups: • D.E.T.O.U.R. (unique to Coastal), Dignity Encouragement Truthfulness Optimism

Uniqueness Respect

• GED, ABE, Literacy/Remedial Reading, Release Orientation, Victim Impact, Family Violence,, Motivation for Change, AA Support Group


1. GDC Prisons: Overview1. GDC Prisons: OverviewData and CollaborationData and Collaboration• Data collection and information sharing

– Commissioner is briefed weekly (if not daily) on populations/trends

– Monthly rollup meetings to advise Executive Staff of current numbers and trends; quarterly meetings to address the data from a long-term perspective

– COMPSTAT process where weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings are held at different levels of the organization to address numbers and trends and responses

• Multi-agency programs

– TOPPSTEP involves GDC, Parole, and Labor Departments

– THOR (transitional housing directory) administered by parole but made available to GDC/Probation

– Reentry partnership housing is a combined effort between parole, GDC and Dept. of Community Affairs (Parole provides funding)

– Probation and Parole, as part of GA’s justice reinvestment initiative, have indentified operation areas that could be combined in the future


1. GDC Prisons: Findings1. GDC Prisons: Findings

• Many offenders serving sentences for non-violent offenses with no priors

• Low-risk offenders in prison are mixed with moderate and high risk offenders

• Over 50% of prison population are drug and property offenders

• The validity of Compas results may be questionable due to the manner in which they are conducted

• While many programs are being offered, program outcomes are not being evaluated across the board

• Programs like TOPSTEP and DETOUR are only offered to a percentage of population (those being paroled, not those maxing out; only those at Coastal)

• Programs in prison and in the community have significant wait lists


2. GDC Probation: Overview2. GDC Probation: OverviewProbation PopulationProbation Population

• Probation is the most frequently used sentencing option in Georgia.– Approximately 63% of State Adult Offenders are on probation

– Probation often follows incarceration

o About 2,000 offenders currently being supervised by both probation and parole

• 17% of probation population have mental health needs

• Average GA probation sentence length is 6.8 years while nationally it’s estimated at 3 years 2 months

• Currently 41,899 active probationers (30%) with 4.1-5 years probation sentence

• Currently 30,157 active probationers (22%) with 9.1-10 years probation sentence


2. GDC Probation: Overview2. GDC Probation: OverviewProbation Caseloads and SupervisionProbation Caseloads and Supervision

Numbers from R. Henry with GDC


2. GDC Probation: Overview2. GDC Probation: Overview% of Prison Releases with Probation to Follow% of Prison Releases with Probation to Follow



2. GDC Probation: Overview2. GDC Probation: OverviewProbation OptionsProbation Options• Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers (RSAT)

– Six month residential treatment facilities for probationers with severe substance abuse problems

– Three facilities: 2 male (600 beds available), 1 female (200 beds available)

» 500 male offenders are in a jail bed awaiting transfer to an RSAT and 250 female offenders are backed up in jail

– Can be sentenced to a RSAT by a judge or sent for violation of probation or parole

– Offer cognitive-behavioral substance abuse treatment with mental health component

• Probation Boot Camp for 100 males– Can be sentenced directly by court or sent for revocation

– Ages 17-30 with no previous adult incarceration

– Military regime; work during the day, risk reduction programming at night


2. GDC Probation: Overview2. GDC Probation: OverviewProbation Options ContinuedProbation Options Continued

• Probation Detention Center (PDC)‐ Sentencing option or as result of revocation

‐ About 2,315 bedso 808 in jails waiting for PDC beds (8/19/11)

‐ 9 minimum security facilities, 1 for women

- Intended to be a 60-120 day programo Judges are sentencing inmates to PDCs for as long as 4 years

o Average length of stay for those departed in FY11 was 183 days

- Unpaid work details and programming

- Drug assessment conducted and may be referred to treatment services (AA, NA, other treatment methods)



• Probation Reporting Contact Center (PRCC) - compliance reports from standard, lowest risk level probationers

– PRCC’s Interactive Voice Response technology (IVR), an automated telephone reception and case note documentation system

– Support staff member assigned to the PRCC—Customer Service Representatives (a.k.a. PRCC “call handlers”). Information documented into Probation Operations’ case notes data management system and immediately made electronically available to the supervising probation officer.• There are about 13,000 probationers reporting through the PRCC and this

is expected to double by the end of the year.

• Caseloads are 500-1

• Moves a large volume of low-risk probationers into a low supervision caseload and reserves POs for higher risk probationers.



• Day Reporting Centers (DRC)- 13 centers, 80-120 offenders served per center (future expansion planned as funding allows)– Non-residential, alternative sanction for felony offenders with a history

of non-compliant behavior related to substance abuse

– Sentenced by the courts or sent due to a supervision violation (probationers and parolees)

– Provide: Substance abuse (in three phases), Cognitive (criminal thinking), Education, Employment

– Components include: • Drug treatment (daily testing), Surveillance Officer oversight (nightly curfew),

Community partnerships, Family / social bonds restored, Mandatory employment, mental health counseling

– Aimed at medium-high risk• Low risk offenders are 16.7-39.3% of admissions depending on site



• 2004: Probation Management Act established the Probation Options Management Program (POM)

• Administrative process to sanction probation violators without returning to the judge. GDC can modify the probationer’s current supervision as long as the sanctions are equal to or less restrictive than the maximum non-prison sanction set by the sentencing judge. – Typically used for technical violations and low-level misdemeanor

offenses

• Probationers can appeal to the judge, however few do and most waive the administrative hearing (83% during the pilot project)

• Current stats:– 18,527 offenders under POM

o Statewide average is 147 new cases per week being placed under POM

– 104 judges in 34 judicial circuits



• Evaluation of POM pilot program in 2005:

– POM participants spend significantly less time in jail than non-POM probationers (6-10 days in jail for the 4 POM judicial circuits vs. 28-34 days in jail for the comparison districts)

– Reduced time in court for offenders and probation officers

– Reduced time between first violation and sanction (“swiftness”) though still between 25 and 83 days (reduced from 111-229 days in comparison circuits)

– Offenders under POM received more proportionate and graduated sanctions

• Probation also uses a matrix of graduated sanctions to address less severe non-compliant behavior


2. GDC Probation: Findings2. GDC Probation: Findings

• Limited use of assessment tools in making diversion decisions:– RSAT – do judges use a validated needs assessment?– Boot camps – what is the target risk population?

• Probation Detention Centers (PDC) – longer terms than intended (6-12 months), creating backlog in jails, and mixing risk levels

• Programs targeting moderate and higher risk offenders are admitting low-risk offenders

• Probation sentence lengths are much higher than the national average

• Extremely high caseloads

• Administrative and unsupervised cases still require Probation Officers’ time, and therefore they aren’t able to focus on high risk offenders

• Delay between violation and POM sanction (between 22 and 83 days)


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview3. Pardons and Paroles: OverviewMission, Board, and CommunicationMission, Board, and Communication

• Parole Board Mission Statement– To enhance public safety by making informed parole decisions and

successfully transitioning offenders back into the community

• Georgia Parole Board– Five member Parole Board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by

State Senate for a seven year term– Parole Board members individually consider eligible inmates parole

release cases rather than by joint meeting – Final parole decisions are determined by individual votes of three parole

board members

• Communication with DOC and Probation has increased significantly in the last couple years. Parole staff now has access to the DOC database SCRIBE and DOC will have access to Parole database CMS this month.

• Case Management System (CMS) produces reports to various levels of staff


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview3. Pardons and Paroles: OverviewParole Population and StaffParole Population and StaffParole Field Supervision Data

– Parole Supervision Population• 26,836 under parole supervision in-state (8/13/11) • At least 2,000 parolees are also on probation (Split-sentencing)

– Parole Population Trends • 67% (36,640 out of 54,459) of the total inmate population are parole

eligible– 2% decrease of parole eligible inmates since 2009 and 29% decrease since

1995

– Staff (ratio)• FY10: 300 parole officers • FY10 average caseload: 81 blended High and Standard cases


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010

Max-Out

Parole

Max-Out

Parole

3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview 3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview Prison Releases by Release TypePrison Releases by Release Type

The percentage of inmates paroled has decreased over the past 20 years



3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview3. Pardons and Paroles: OverviewApprovals, Denials, and RevocationsApprovals, Denials, and Revocations

• Decision-making: approvals, denials, etc.– FY11: 80% (29,393 out of 36,640) of parole eligible inmate

population reviewed for parole consideration– FY10: 10,511 releases to parole, 1,645 releases to supervised

reprieve, 1,076 releases to conditional transfer, and 694 releases to commutation

• Parole revocations– TOTAL PAROLE REVOCATIONS: 2,594 (down from 3,092 in FY09)

» 10% of revocations were a result of technical violations (273)» 90% of revocations due to new criminal offenses (2,321)» 11,189 arrest warrants issued by Parole Board


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview3. Pardons and Paroles: OverviewPED, TPM, and PICPED, TPM, and PIC

• Inmates eligible for Parole have a Parole Eligibility Date (PED) set at 33% of their sentence

• Prior to the PED, the Parole Board examines the specific circumstances of the case and, using a crime severity level and risk to reoffend grid, assigns a Tentative Parole Month (TPM)

• Inmates are able to lower the TPM by earning Performance Incentive Credits (PIC) for participation and satisfactory progress in education/treatment programs, work, and good behavior


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview3. Pardons and Paroles: OverviewReentry HousingReentry Housing

Reentry Partnership Housing Program (RPH)

• 40 approved RPH facilities providing housing to parolees with no residential options considered “problem residence inmates”

• In 2010, 199 parolees were placed in RPH facilities increasing the total parole population in RPHs from 644 to 678 with a total of 992 parolees being placed in an RPH facility since its beginning in 2006


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview 3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview Residential Programs Residential Programs Transitional Housing for Offender Reentry (THOR)

• 134 THOR residences throughout Georgia providing community-based residential and/or substance abuse options for inmates released on parole.

• THOR facilities are targeted to parolees with unaddressed criminogenic needs and/or who are homeless or nearly homeless.

• Parole Board must approve parolees admission into THOR facility– 1) Structured Housing (assessments optional)

» 26 facilities for inmates who meet prison release requirements, but do not have available housing.

» Structured housing does not provide treatment and/or counseling. – 2) Standard Recovery Residence (assessments recommended)

» 60 facilities providing one or more substance abuse counseling services per week.

– 3) Intensive Recovery Residence (assessments required)» 48 facilities providing 5 or more hours of intensive substance abuse

counseling provided by certified substance abuse counselors or licensed professionals


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview 3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview Substance Abuse ProgramsSubstance Abuse Programs

Outpatient Parolee Substance Abuse Recovery Services • 6 week program, available in every parole district, requiring weekly group

sessions and a minimum of 2 negative drug tests • FY 2010: 2,394 motivation assessment and planning (MAP) group sessions, and

7,924 recovery group sessions• FY2011: 133 successful completions, and 94 non-completers• No program waitlist-once capacity of 10 is reached, an additional program is

added

The Substance Abuse Aftercare Services (SAAS)• 6 month program targeting high risk, high needs offenders who have completed

an intensive substance abuse services program• These programs include: Day Reporting Centers, Residential Substance Abuse

Treatment, and/or approved community programs lasting a minimum of 17 weeks of length


3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview 3. Pardons and Paroles: Overview Programs Programs Cognitive Skills Programming

Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) • 12 step Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program for criminal offenders,

substance abusers, and others with anti-social personalities• MRT takes an average of six months to complete• Approximately 700 individuals enrolled with a monthly completion rate

of roughly 70 individuals – Those that do not complete the program are as a result of several factors (i.e.

new arrest with parole revocation, new employment in conflict with programming time, successful discharge from supervision)

Sex Offender Programming Parole mandated, all sex offenders are required to attend sex offender therapy

and submit to polygraph exams 762 sex offender cases currently under supervision No waitlist for therapist or polygrapher services; these providers are located

throughout the state


3. Pardons and Paroles: Findings3. Pardons and Paroles: Findings

• Inmates eligible for parole who are sentenced to two years or less are not eligible for PIC- Performance Incentive Credits

• Cognitive Skills Programming, such as MRT, is not offered in all Parole offices due to staff shortages/high caseloads

• There is no incentive for offenders to comply with the conditions of their supervision and participate in programs while on parole (similar to PIC while in prison)

• Judges, prosecutors, and victims don’t have all the information regarding how much time the offender is likely to serve based on parole decisions


4. Accountability Courts: Overview4. Accountability Courts: OverviewMission and Different CourtsMission and Different Courts

• “These courts promote personal responsibility by holding the participant accountable for his/her actions and behaviors.”

• “Team approach that functions within the existing court structure. The judge, defender, prosecutor, law enforcement, treatment provider, coordinator and others all work together to create a balance of authority, supervision, support, and encouragement for each participant.”– 72 Drug courts: 33 adult felony drug courts (1 felony drug & DUI court, 1

felony drug & mental health court), 18 DUI courts, 12 juvenile drug courts, 9 family dependency treatment courts,)

– 13 Mental health courts

– 3 Veterans courts

– 4 Child Support Problem Solving courts

Source: Georgia Accountability Courts


4. Accountability Courts: Overview 4. Accountability Courts: Overview Drug CourtsDrug Courts

• Drug courts use sanctions and incentives

• Each drug court is operated independently; Standing Committee on Drug Courts set 10 key components– No standard operating practices or procedures for management of courts

– No comprehensive data management or collection system

• Length of program usually 12, 18, or 24 months

• Sobriety required for graduation usually 6 or 12 months

• Of 29 adult felony drug courts*:– 2,183 active participants (as of 1/1/11)

o Range from 13-285 participants per drug court

– 4,078 graduates (as of 1/1/11)

*Data not available for 4 drug courts


4. Accountability Courts: Overview 4. Accountability Courts: Overview Drug Courts ContinuedDrug Courts Continued• Pre-trial diversion :

– Not asked to plead innocent or guilty– Enter immediately into the intervention program, including regular meetings with

the judge– If they successfully complete the program, charges against them may be

dismissed. If they fail to complete the program, they will be prosecuted on the original charge

• Post-plea sentencing: – Defendant enters a plea, but the judge agrees to defer imposing a sentence until

an intervention program is completed– Upon successful completion, the judge may vacate the plea, and ask the DA to

dismiss the case

• Post-adjudication : – Judge imposes a sentence but agrees to suspend it until completion of the

intervention program

Source: Administrative Office of the Courts


Source: Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Performance Audit Operations,, September 2010

• Department of Audits 2010 Study: Adult Felony Drug Court

‒ 7% of drug court participants re-convicted in 2 years (29% for similar incarcerated offenders)

‒ Average $13.54/day cost for drug court

‒ Cost for 2,000 participants was ½ of traditional sentencing options ($18 vs. $36 million)

4. Accountability Courts: Overview 4. Accountability Courts: Overview Drug Courts StudyDrug Courts Study


4. Accountability Courts: Findings4. Accountability Courts: Findings

• Accountability courts aren’t using a validated risk-needs assessment to ensure that only moderate to high-need offenders are admitted

• Accountability courts are systemized with basic standards and are run individually with no central oversight

• There aren’t systemic standards requiring decision-making that only allow certain offenders bound for prison to go to a drug court

• There is no requirement that Accountability Courts collect admission, implementation and outcome data that would allow assessment of how effective they are at improving public safety


Summary of System AssessmentSummary of System Assessment

• Key Questions: Are Georgia’s laws, policies and practices focused on reducing recidivism and improving public safety?– Is Georgia focusing its resources on moderate and high risk offenders?

o Inconsistently and not systemically

o A validated risk-needs assessment tool is not used when sentencing someone to RSAT, PDC or other program nor is one used in drug courts to determine who has a substance abuse problem warranting significant resources

o The majority of the prison population are serving sentences for non-violent offenses, and probation caseloads are high therefore POs can’t focus on moderate and high risk offenders

o While many community-based programs target moderate and high risk offenders they have a significant percentage of low risk offenders; mixing risk levels has been shown to negatively affect the low risk population


Summary of System AssessmentSummary of System Assessment

• Key Questions: Are Georgia’s laws, policies and practices focused on reducing recidivism and improving public safety?– Is Georgia targeting programs to offender needs?o Risk-needs assessment are not conducted for all programs, and

when they are conducted it is unclear if they are implemented with fidelity and if the results are evaluated and targeted to the extent that they need to be in order to be effective

– Is Georgia evaluating the outcomes of their programs?o There have been some evaluations of programs, but not that link

programs elements to reducing recidivism. Thus whether these programs are improving public safety is largely unknown.

o The evaluations that have been conducted indicated the need for changes in various practices

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