CDCR secretary warns closures shift costs and stresses infrastructure needs CDCR told the subcommittee California prisons hold about 90,000 people, face infrastructure deficits (HVAC, ADA), high violence rates and structural budget pressures; secretary said closures save money but shift personnel and can increase crowding elsewhere, and outlined a 20-year infrastructure plan.

California's prison system is grappling with aging facilities and rising costs, but closures may shift the burden rather than save money, raising concerns about inmate health and safety.

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#CA #CivicAccountability #RecidivismReduction #InfrastructureNeeds #CitizenPortal

Appropriations Committee approves $365,000 for alternate care (Teen Challenge) after debate The committee approved a $365,000 addition for the alternate care grant (Teen Challenge) tied to a statutory clarification in HB 1140 that gives judges a clearer option for alternate care. Supporters cited cost and recidivism benefits; skeptics pointed to past reversion of funds and urged caution. Vote: 14–4 in favor.

The Appropriations Committee just approved a $365,000 boost for Teen Challenge, igniting a heated debate over cost-effectiveness versus past budget reversions.

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#SD #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #SouthDakotaAlternateCare #JudicialReform #FiscalResponsibility

DeKalb County launches mental health court to steer misdemeanor defendants into treatment DeKalb County this month began a court-supervised mental health program for eligible misdemeanor, nonviolent defendants, a post-adjudication four‑phase program funded by a state grant and coordinated with local providers to reduce recidivism and improve access to treatment.

DeKalb County has launched an innovative Mental Health Court to redirect nonviolent offenders into essential treatment, aiming to break the cycle of recidivism and address critical mental health needs.

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#DeKalbCounty #TN #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #JusticeReform

House rejects $2.7 million recidivism grant; sponsor denies conflict‑of‑interest concerns The South Dakota House voted down House Bill 10‑86, a five‑year, $2.7 million grant program to fund nonprofit recidivism training and staff development. Sponsors argued the program would cut reoffending and save taxpayer dollars; opponents raised procurement and conflict‑of‑interest concerns that the sponsor denied.

In a surprising turn of events, the South Dakota House has rejected a crucial $2.7 million grant aimed at reducing recidivism, sparking heated debates over ethics and government spending.

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#SD #SouthDakotaCorrections #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #NonprofitImpact

Monroe County commissioners say financing could allow a new jail but debate size, site and services Commissioners reviewed a county council resolution and financial analysis that show a potential maximum bond capacity near $170 million, then debated trade-offs including single-story design, colocation with other justice services, and investing in treatment programming to reduce recidivism.

Monroe County commissioners are at a crossroads, debating the future of a new jail and whether to prioritize cost or long-term effectiveness in treatment and design.

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#MonroeCounty #IN #MonroeCountyJail #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

House panel advances KCTCS-led prison vocational campus to expand reentry training The House Judiciary Committee adopted a committee substitute and passed House Bill 5 (19–1), which authorizes KCTCS to partner with the Kentucky Department of Corrections to build and operate a model vocational training campus at Northpointe Training Center and requires data collection and reporting on program outcomes.

Kentucky is taking a bold step towards rehabilitation by approving a new vocational training campus for incarcerated individuals, aiming to slash recidivism and fill workforce gaps.

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#KY #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #VocationalTraining #WorkforceDevelopment

Committee backs funding for correctional electronic medical record to bill Medicaid under waiver The committee favorably recommended third-substitute HB 70 to fund an electronic medical record for Correctional Health Services, enabling the state to bill Medicaid under a Section 1115 justice-involved waiver and require opioid-use-disorder treatment windows for inmates.

Utah is taking a bold step to improve inmate health care by advancing a bill that would implement an electronic medical record system, paving the way for Medicaid billing and better treatment for opioid use disorders.

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#UT #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #OpioidUseDisorder

House Corrections and Institutions directs DOC study after debate over free inmate calls in H.294 The House Corrections and Institutions committee on Feb. 25 considered H.294, which would require telephone, video and other communications services for incarcerated people be provided "at no expense" to them or to their callers. Lawmakers voiced support for connections that may reduce recidivism but raised cost, cap and funding concerns and asked the Department of Corrections to produce a detailed evaluation.

Vermont lawmakers are debating a groundbreaking bill that could make communication for incarcerated individuals completely free, but concerns about costs and funding are raising eyebrows.

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#VT #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #VermontCorrections #TelecomAccessibility

Senate committee backs Labor Pool Act changes to end placement fees and require registration The committee advanced SB1112 to prohibit placement fees for workers hired from labor pools, require annual registration with the Department of Commerce, and allow prevailing parties to recover attorney’s fees; supporters said the bill will help formerly incarcerated workers access stable employment.

Florida's Senate Committee is paving the way for a groundbreaking bill that could transform the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals by eliminating placement fees and enhancing labor pool transparency.

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#FL #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #LaborAccess

Bill to create structured youth reentry program debated; questions on costs and statutory authority LB962 would create coordinated reentry planning, assign aftercare coordinators, and begin transition planning within 30 days of intake. Proponents said targeting housing, education and employment will reduce recidivism; probation and DHHS raised statutory, overlap, and fiscal concerns and said clarifying amendments will be needed.

A groundbreaking bill in Nebraska aims to transform youth reentry by providing structured support and individualized plans, but critical questions about costs and statutory authority linger.

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#NE #YouthTransitionalSupport #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal

Committee backs resolution to support 90-day prerelease Medicaid coverage for incarcerated people with substance use disorder Kenosha County's legislative committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting a state Medicaid demonstration (Assembly Bill 604 referenced) to allow Medicaid coverage in the 90 days before release, with the sheriff saying it would improve continuity of care and reduce overdose and recidivism risk.

Kenosha County is taking a bold step to reduce recidivism and improve healthcare for incarcerated individuals by advocating for Medicaid coverage during their crucial 90-day prerelease period.

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#KenoshaCounty #WI #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #SubstanceUseDisorders

Wayne County officials say jail-based COSAP program reduced recidivism and expanded housing and treatment supports Sheriff Larry Pierce and program staff reported results from a five-year federal COSAP grant: 457 unduplicated participants served, 80% retained 30 days, 4% overall recidivism and expanded medication-assisted treatment and transitional housing in Wayne County detention and reentry services.

A groundbreaking program in Wayne County has dramatically reduced recidivism rates and expanded access to vital treatment services, serving as a model for jails nationwide.

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#WayneCounty #NC #RecidivismReduction #TransitionalHousing #CitizenPortal #PeerSupportServices

Committee approves allowing courts to order long‑term alternative care grants in lieu of incarceration House Judiciary voted to pass House Bill 11-40 after testimony from Teen Challenge representatives, prosecutors and program graduates describing a 14‑month residential recovery program; proponents said the bill preserves judicial and prosecutorial discretion while increasing access to long‑term alternatives.

A new bill may revolutionize the way South Dakota courts handle offenders by expanding access to long-term residential care programs, potentially reducing recidivism rates.

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#SD #RecidivismReduction #SouthDakotaAlternativeCare #JudicialDiscretion #CriminalJusticeReform

Criminal justice subcommittee prioritizes prison expansion, children’s justice centers and court resources The Criminal Justice Subcommittee reported reductions and targeted reinvestments, recommending opening additional prison capacity, ongoing funding for Children's Justice Centers, court staffing and a $60 million one-time behavioral health treatment center among other priorities.

Utah's Criminal Justice Subcommittee is pushing for major budget changes, including $60 million for a new behavioral health center and expanded prison capacity!

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#UT #RecidivismReduction #BehavioralHealth #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

Committee backs standardized batterers‑intervention framework; debate centers on availability and judicial discretion Senators advanced SB 673 after testimony from the Women's Advocacy Center citing reductions in reoffending; debate focused on whether mandatory program completion (when a certified program exists) would unfairly penalize defendants in counties without programs and whether judges should retain discretion.

Tennessee's Senate just advanced a groundbreaking bill aimed at cutting domestic violence recidivism with mandatory batterers-intervention programs, but concerns over accessibility and judicial discretion are sparking heated debates.

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#TN #RecidivismReduction

Nevada County CCP approves most status‑quo budget items, backs $100,000 Grass Valley pilot and sets $40,000 innovation placeholder The Nevada County Community Corrections Partnership approved status‑quo CCP spending for probation, treatment and public‑defender support, voted 5‑2 to fund a reduced $100,000 Grass Valley diversion pilot and left an innovation placeholder at $40,000 while reserving policy review for future meetings.

Nevada County is taking bold steps towards justice reform by approving a $100,000 pilot program aimed at diversion in Grass Valley!

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#NevadaCounty #CA #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #NevadaCountyCorrections #CommunityInnovation

Judges praise accountability courts' results but warn opioid-settlement restrictions could hobble broader treatment Accountability-court leaders told appropriators the programs reduce recidivism and expand, but warned that routing two-thirds of their proposed budget through opioid-settlement funds may legally restrict spending to opioid-specific treatment and leave most participants without services.

Judges are celebrating the success of accountability courts in reducing recidivism, but a legal restriction on opioid-settlement funds threatens to limit treatment options for many in need.

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#GA #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #SubstanceUseDisorders

Berkeley County community corrections reports rising participation, lower recidivism than national average Community corrections director presented program metrics: roughly 400 active participants, about 2,400 monthly drug screens, 65 completions in fiscal year 2024 and 39 so far this year; the office reports a five‑year recidivism of about 29% for program graduates versus national 77%.

Berkeley County's day report center is making waves with a staggering 29% recidivism rate for graduates, far surpassing the national average of 77%—is this the future of community corrections?

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyCorrections #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal

Committee hears bill to add high‑school equivalency diploma to inmates' release files HB 3,850 would add a high‑school equivalency diploma to an inmate's release packet to improve employability and expand access to DOC programs. Sponsor said funding could expand capacity to reduce waiting lists; committee discussion clarified the rule already exists in statute and that fiscal analysis was pending.

A new bill could revolutionize the future for inmates by adding a high-school equivalency diploma to their release packets, aiming to boost employability and reduce recidivism.

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#OK #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #EducationAccess #EmploymentOpportunities

Recovery coaches ask lawmakers for $1.25M in opioid-abatement funds to sustain peer programs in prisons and probation Turning Point directors and recovery coaches told the House Corrections committee that peer recovery coaching, started in Rutland in 2016, reduces recidivism and overdose risk; they requested $1.25M in FY27 opioid-abatement funds and renewal of $800,000 in prevention funding to keep programs running statewide.

Peer recovery coaching is transforming lives in Vermont's correctional facilities, proving to reduce recidivism and foster successful reentry into society.

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#VT #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #VermontRecovery #CommunitySupport #SubstanceAbuse

TRICOR highlights job‑training programs, commissary expansion and Trousdale distribution center plan TRICOR CEO David Hart told the committee the agency provides work and transition services to incarcerated Tennesseans, reported FY25 revenue near $29 million and a 3‑year recidivism rate of 18.5%, and said Trousdale will host a 25,000 sq. ft. commissary distribution center employing 30–35 participants in industry‑relevant work.

TRICOR is revolutionizing the future for incarcerated individuals in Tennessee with job-training programs and a new distribution center that promises to cut recidivism rates and boost revenue.

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#TN #PrisonReform #RecidivismReduction #TennesseeIncarcerated #CitizenPortal

Commission authorizes application for $500,000 jail recovery grant Sumner County authorized staff to apply for a $500,000 state grant to expand jail-based recovery and reentry services, aimed at providing treatment initiation in custody and handoffs to community behavioral health providers on release; commissioners asked about legal/operational issues and approved the application by voice vote.

Sumner County is taking a bold step towards breaking the cycle of recidivism by applying for a $500,000 grant to enhance jail recovery programs and support inmates' transition to community care.

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#SumnerCounty #TN #RecidivismReduction #CriminalJusticeReform #CitizenPortal

Tooele County highlights jail-based addiction treatment program as route to reduce recidivism Tooele County presenters described a jail-based substance-use program run by the Tooele Opioid Response Network (TORN) and the RISE curriculum, saying early graduates show lower re‑incarceration and that grants currently cover instructor costs. Council discussed finding a permanent aftercare space and using program data to guide future county decisions.

Tooele County is revolutionizing addiction recovery with its innovative jail-based treatment program, boasting over 6,000 individuals served and promising results in reducing recidivism.

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#UT #RecidivismReduction #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SubstanceUseTreatment #TooeleCounty

House Corrections and Institutions Committee hears UVM findings on H.294, including state cost models and provider complaints University of Vermont Legislative Research Service students told the House Corrections and Institutions Committee that state-funded, no-cost prison telecommunications has reduced recidivism in other states but carries initial cost spikes; presenters also flagged complaints and a lawsuit involving Vermont’s provider, IC Solutions.

A new bill in Vermont could transform prison communications, potentially slashing recidivism rates by 13%—but it comes with significant costs and serious complaints against the current provider.

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#VT #CivicAccountability #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #VermontCorrections

Senate orders study of dyslexia among inmates, citing potential remediation and cost savings Lawmakers approved a bill directing the Department of Corrections to study dyslexia prevalence among inmates after citing studies from other states that found high rates; sponsors said screening could be inexpensive and helpful for reentry planning.

The Senate has just approved a groundbreaking study on dyslexia among inmates, revealing a staggering prevalence rate that could transform rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

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#MS #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #MississippiCorrections #EducationAccess

Formerly incarcerated peer mentor tells committee early reentry must include mental-health bridge At the Institutions Committee hearing, Chris Willers urged lawmakers to treat the first 72 hours after release as a clinical risk period, expand peer-led mentorship and ensure presumptive mental-health coverage to reduce crises and recidivism.

The first 72 hours after prison release can be a psychological minefield, leaving many without the support they desperately need to avoid crisis and recidivism.

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#VT #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #PeerMentorship #MentalHealthSupport #VermontReentry

Senate committee advances bill to require intake and annual education assessments for inmates The Senate State and Local Government Committee advanced SB 1569 to require education assessments at intake and annually for inmates, adopting an amendment to allow electronic delivery of results; higher-education advocates told the committee the programs reduce recidivism and save taxpayer dollars.

Tennessee is taking a bold step towards rehabilitation by advancing a bill that mandates education assessments for inmates, paving the way for reduced recidivism and better post-release opportunities.

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#TN #PrisonReform #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal #TennesseeCorrections

Nonprofit asks $1.5 million to expand 14‑week recidivism and workforce reentry program Lead with Light Foundation and partners presented a 14‑week cohort program for incarcerated and recently released Utahns and asked the subcommittee for $1.5 million to scale services and serve an estimated 825 people in the coming fiscal year.

A groundbreaking 14-week program is transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals and those reentering society, aiming to reduce recidivism and boost workforce success—now seeking $1.5 million to expand its impact!

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#UT #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal

Sponsor Seeks to Close 'Wet Reckless' Loophole by Counting Certain Reduced Reckless Convictions as Prior DWIs HB1248 would treat certain prior reckless‑operation dispositions tied to substance impairment as prior DWIs for sentencing within a 10‑year lookback window. Sponsor and state troopers argued it would reduce repeat impaired driving; some members urged careful drafting to avoid Apprendi and sentencing challenges.

A new bill aims to close a dangerous loophole in New Hampshire's impaired-driving laws, potentially curbing repeat offenses and enhancing public safety.

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#NH #TrafficSafety #NewHampshireDriving #ImpairedDriving #CitizenPortal #RecidivismReduction

Bill to allow escorted reentry leaves advances to committee discussion Senate Bill 5,873 would create a single escorted-leave category including reentry-focused supervised outings, funerals and bedside visits and aligns DOC family-definition rules; supporters said escorted leaves are evidence-based preparation for release while DOC flagged potential implementation costs.

A groundbreaking bill in Washington aims to transform the reentry process for incarcerated individuals by allowing supervised outings to practice real-world skills before their release.

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#WA #CommunitySupport #CriminalJusticeReform #CitizenPortal #RecidivismReduction