JPI News Digest 6/19/12
Published: June 19, 2012
National: Christie Calls for More Inspections of Private Halfway Homes (Bloomberg News Week)
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered more inspections of privately run halfway houses after a report that the facilities were rampant with sexual assaults, drugs and a trail of violence, including homicide, by escapees.
PA: County officials brace for changes to sex-offender law (Reading Eagle)
Berks County officials are working to comply with the state's version of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which creates tougher restrictions for sex offenders, while anxiously waiting for state lawmakers to put the finishing touches on the law before the end of this month.
NJ: NJ Panel to Consider Drug Treatment Bill (Courier Post Online)
A measure that would change the way New Jersey's criminal justice system deals with nonviolent drug offenders is up for a hearing in the state Legislature. The Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider a bill on Monday that mandates nonviolent drug offenders receive treatment rather than a jail sentence. It also creates a two-year pilot program in two counties.
OH: Treatment is a Goal inJuvenile Justice System (Marion Star)
Some see the juvenile justice system as a way for youth to "get off light" for serious crimes. Those who work in the system see it as a way to preserve the futures of Marion's troubled youths. "The juvenile justice system is based on the idea of treatment," Marion Family Court Judge Robert D. Fragale said. "The idea is that as juveniles we have the ability to work with these children and do whatever we can to provide the opportunity to change their behavior to become productive members of our community.
PA: Governor Tom Corbett Expected to Get Prison Reform Measure this Week or Next (The Patriot News)
Pennsylvania stands on the doorstep of one of the most significant reforms to its criminal justice system since quite possibly state prisons were established.Legislation is expected to reach Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk this week or next that arguably returns the system’s purpose to the one Quakers had in mind of using it to turn around the lives of people who made bad decisions.
OH: Municipal Court’s Specialty Dockets Focus on Treatment, Not Penalties (The Columbus Dispatch)
Newcomers to this courtroom need to be taught a few things: There are no rules about speaking out of turn or using a little profanity. Everyone wants to hear how your week went. While you’re at it, grab a doughnut. Friday morning is reserved for Franklin County Municipal Judge Scott VanDerKarr’s drug docket for nearly 40 opiate addicts. VanDerKarr’s is one of four specialty dockets in Municipal Court that cater to people who wind up in the criminal-justice system and have specific needs. The strategy is team-based, coordinated treatment to help people get better — instead of fining them or sending them to jail.
Posted in Criminal Justice News