Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2002
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2002sThe Advertiser Co
Contact:  http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088
Author: Todd Kleffman

SPECIAL COURTS GET ATTENTION

After more than 10 years of idleness, the Montgomery County Community 
Corrections Authority is finally gearing up to bring some alternative court 
programs to the Capital City.

The Authority is meeting on July 18 to finalize plans for programs designed 
to divert offenders from the overcrowded jail and prison systems while 
collecting more in outstanding debts owed to the financially-strapped court 
system.

"I really think there is the momentum to get something going this time," 
said Sheriff D.T. Marshall, one of seven Authority board members.

Created after the state Legislature passed the Community Corrections Act in 
1991, the Authority floundered because board members, judges and others 
involved in the court system could never agree on which programs to put in 
place.

Meanwhile, other cities such as Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville 
established programs that have proven to be very successful, said Allen 
Tapley, director of the Alabama Sentencing Institute, which oversees 
community corrections operations.

"Montgomery is the only urban judicial circuit in the state that doesn't 
have a working community corrections program," Tapley said. "Even Anniston 
and Gadsden have started small programs."

Community corrections entails a variety of court-related programs that give 
nonviolent offenders the opportunity to serve their sentences and get 
treatment for addictions close to home rather than being sent to jail or 
prison. This allows them to find or keep jobs, which means they continue to 
support their families while paying court costs and restitution to victims.

Typical programs include drug court, work release, pre-trial release, 
community service and supervised parole.

Montgomery County is looking at establishing three initial programs, Tapley 
said. Pre-trial release allows defendants who can't make bond to go to work 
while they await their trials. The county probation program would work to 
collect money owed to district court by keeping closer tabs on those put on 
probation. The community service program would coordinate the carrying out 
of sentences of those assigned to do work around the county.

Drug court, which has been operating in district court, will be folded into 
community corrections on the circuit court level, Tapley said.

A director and about six employees, along with office space, will be needed 
to get the program started, Tapley said, estimating it will take about 
$300,000. The Montgomery County Commission will be asked to fund the measure.

After the program is running, about 30 percent of its annual cost will be 
come from fees paid by offenders who participate, he said.

If the initial programs are successful, others may be added in the future. 
Montgomery County Court Administrator Bob Merrill said community 
corrections options are needed.

"The main thing is to give the courts more flexibility in sentencing, 
rather than just the knee-jerk send them to jail," Merrill said. "Some 
people, obviously, need to go to jail. We just have to make sure we have 
enough room for those who need to be there."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth