Immediate Sanction Probation Pilot Project Update Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission November...
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Transcript of Immediate Sanction Probation Pilot Project Update Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission November...
Immediate Sanction Probation
Pilot Project Update
Virginia Criminal Sentencing CommissionNovember 7, 2012
In 2012, the General Assembly directed the Sentencing Commission to implement an immediate sanction probation program in up to 4 pilot sites
The Sentencing Commission is charged with selecting the pilot sites, developing policies and procedures for implementing the program, and evaluating the results
The concurrence of the chief judge of the circuit court and the Commonwealth’s attorney is needed for the locality to participate as a pilot site
Pilot project will last two years
Directive for Immediate Sanction ProbationPilot Project (2012)
2Background
~ Chapter 3 of the 2012 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I (adopted May 22, 2012)
Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program was established in 2004 by Judge Steven Alm of Hawaii’s First Circuit
Focus is on offenders at-risk for failing probation
The goal is to improve compliance with the conditions of probation by applying swift and certain sanctions for each violation
A recent federally-funded evaluation of HOPE found a significant reduction in technical violations and drug use among participants, as well as lower recidivism rates
3Background
Model for Virginia’s Pilot Program
Judges
Commonwealth’s Attorney and Staff
Probation Officers
Public Defender’s Office / Court-Appointed Attorneys
Sheriff’s Office and Police Departments
Clerk of Court and Staff
Magistrates
Key Stakeholders in Pilot Sites
4
September 10 Presented proposals to SentencingCommission, including suggested
pilot sites (Henrico, Newport News, and
Lynchburg)
Began drafting manual, warning script,
and forms
October 5 DOC confirmed that resources will be made available for one probation
officer to spearhead the program in each pilot
site
October 9-10 Met with stakeholders in Henrico;Henrico agreed to participate as a
pilot site5
Recent Activities
October 17 Met with key stakeholders in Newport News;
Newport News decided not to participate in
the pilot program
October 25 Met with Henrico stakeholders to discuss
additional details
October 31 Met with stakeholders in Lynchburg;Lynchburg agreed to participate
6
Recent Activities
7
Status in Henrico
Two judges have been designated to oversee the
caseload and the hearings
− Judge Yoffy− Judge Wallerstein
DOC has designated a probation officer to supervise
the offenders in the program
Judge Wallerstein has contacted several court-
appointed attorneys who have agreed to provide
defense counsel to offenders in the program
− These attorneys were briefed on
November 6
8
Status in Henrico
Sheriff and Chief of Police have agreed to arrest
program violators quickly
− The two offices are coordinating to work
out ways to divide the additional duties
Judges have arranged to hold expedited
hearings for program violators on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday at 1:00pm
Clerk’s Office has agreed to forward all program
forms to the Sentencing Commission
Start date: November 1
November Conduct additional meetings in Lynchburg
Identify third pilot site and meet with stakeholders there
Work with DOC and the Compensation Board to develop new codes for their automated systems so that participants can be tracked
January 2012 - Conduct monthly meetings with judges,September 2013 prosecutors, probation officers, and other
key stakeholders in the pilot sites
October 2013 Due date for implementation report
9
Upcoming Activities