Valerie
09-27-2003, 02:01 AM
New program to screen jail inmates;
Effort could reduce recidivism in Waukesha County, judge says
Copyright 2003 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
September 25, 2003 Thursday METRO EDITION
Waukesha -- In an effort to learn more about who winds up behind bars and why, social workers soon will screen all Waukesha County Jail inmates when they arrive at the lockup.
In a meeting of the Criminal Justice Collaborating Council on Wednesday, Chief Judge Kathryn Foster said the group hopes that the screening, which is set to begin Oct. 6, will reduce recidivism among defendants out on bail. Foster said the effort also should help identify defendants who are most apt to ignore orders to return to court after they are released on bail.
The screening is to help judges and court commissioners determine which inmates are the best bail risks while giving officials data that could explain whether the system is being burdened by people whose main problems stem from mental health issues or drug or alcohol dependencies.
Officials expect that data eventually will help give justice system officials regular snapshots of the makeup of the County Jail population.
Foster noted that during her recent stint as a weekend duty judge, she was surprised to see in the crowded jail a woman charged with stealing a $59 pair of shoes.
"I couldn't really understand why she was in jail," Foster said, noting that she altered the woman's bail to permit her release.
The screening is being undertaken by social workers from Wisconsin Community Services Inc., which was awarded a three-year contract for an average of $92,000 annually.
The screening is the first significant step taken by the 11-month-old council, which was formed to monitor the county court system and growing jail population.
The council was assigned to find new ways of controlling jail congestion by assessing mental illness, drug addiction and other ailments in criminal offenders, who could then be rehabilitated in other programs. It's expected that the council's work will remain a priority even after the current jail expansion is completed.
When the council was formed, the screening was listed as its first priority to help officials decide who needs to be in the jail and who does not.
"This will be the first systematic screening of everyone in the jail," said Holly Patzer, multicounty administrator for Wisconsin Community Services.
"We don't look at our role as trying to get people out of the jail. We're preparing for the court-neutral, verified information which will assist the commissioners in making a release decision."
The screening will be performed before inmates make their initial court appearances. Social workers will gather information on a person's work history, education, marital status, involvement in the criminal justice system and whether there are mental health or substance abuse issues.
If a defendant was arrested on a warrant for failing to return to court, the screening will determine whether any underlying issues contributed to the problem. For example, if a person has mental health problems and failed to take medications, that information would be shared with the appropriate agency.
Factors such as criminal history and the number of prior missed court appearances will be used to help assess whether an inmate should be released on bail, Patzer said.
Effort could reduce recidivism in Waukesha County, judge says
Copyright 2003 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
September 25, 2003 Thursday METRO EDITION
Waukesha -- In an effort to learn more about who winds up behind bars and why, social workers soon will screen all Waukesha County Jail inmates when they arrive at the lockup.
In a meeting of the Criminal Justice Collaborating Council on Wednesday, Chief Judge Kathryn Foster said the group hopes that the screening, which is set to begin Oct. 6, will reduce recidivism among defendants out on bail. Foster said the effort also should help identify defendants who are most apt to ignore orders to return to court after they are released on bail.
The screening is to help judges and court commissioners determine which inmates are the best bail risks while giving officials data that could explain whether the system is being burdened by people whose main problems stem from mental health issues or drug or alcohol dependencies.
Officials expect that data eventually will help give justice system officials regular snapshots of the makeup of the County Jail population.
Foster noted that during her recent stint as a weekend duty judge, she was surprised to see in the crowded jail a woman charged with stealing a $59 pair of shoes.
"I couldn't really understand why she was in jail," Foster said, noting that she altered the woman's bail to permit her release.
The screening is being undertaken by social workers from Wisconsin Community Services Inc., which was awarded a three-year contract for an average of $92,000 annually.
The screening is the first significant step taken by the 11-month-old council, which was formed to monitor the county court system and growing jail population.
The council was assigned to find new ways of controlling jail congestion by assessing mental illness, drug addiction and other ailments in criminal offenders, who could then be rehabilitated in other programs. It's expected that the council's work will remain a priority even after the current jail expansion is completed.
When the council was formed, the screening was listed as its first priority to help officials decide who needs to be in the jail and who does not.
"This will be the first systematic screening of everyone in the jail," said Holly Patzer, multicounty administrator for Wisconsin Community Services.
"We don't look at our role as trying to get people out of the jail. We're preparing for the court-neutral, verified information which will assist the commissioners in making a release decision."
The screening will be performed before inmates make their initial court appearances. Social workers will gather information on a person's work history, education, marital status, involvement in the criminal justice system and whether there are mental health or substance abuse issues.
If a defendant was arrested on a warrant for failing to return to court, the screening will determine whether any underlying issues contributed to the problem. For example, if a person has mental health problems and failed to take medications, that information would be shared with the appropriate agency.
Factors such as criminal history and the number of prior missed court appearances will be used to help assess whether an inmate should be released on bail, Patzer said.