Sacramento launches alternative-sentencing program for lower-level offenders

Posted by Rose Giorza on July 4, 2011 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

Sacramento is getting a new alternative-sentencing program that organizers say will free up jail space, won’t cost taxpayers a dime and helps criminals change their ways.

Named “Ascend,” the program aims to teach life skills to offenders convicted of less serious crimes without jail time.

Sacramento judges will determine which offenders qualify for the self-improvement program based on their willingness to succeed.

The program will cost each participant $500 for 30 days. The fee pays for eight three-hour classes a month. The programs include 24 hours of community service, career center enrollment and daily check-ins.

Those unable to complete any aspect of the program must serve their full term in jail.

While alternative sentencing is long established, an inmate-funded, results-driven program is new.

“In misdemeanor courts, a lot of those crimes are crimes that relate to lifestyle choices,” said Superior Court Judge Russell Hom. “We need a program that has the effect of rehabilitating and reduces the likelihood of us seeing them again. Hopefully, they will be restored and productive members of society.”

Studies show that diversion programs have low success rates, according to criminal sociologist Ryken Grattet. But the UC Davis professor said that rehabbing criminals isn’t the main purpose of these programs.

“Changing behavior is just incredibly difficult and challenging in populations that are caught in a cycle of lower-level crimes,” said Grattet. “They’re effective in saving money, which is mostly what they’re about.”

Not only does alternative sentencing save taxpayer money, it makes more room for serious offenders in Sacramento County’s jails.

“We usually hover around pretty close to 90 percent capacity,” said Deputy Jason Ramos, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

Criminal defense lawyers Christine Galves and Toni Carbone founded Ascend after spending their careers providing legal counsel and life counseling to their clients.

The hitch for the program is that most offenders can’t afford the fee. Galves said the program has to show results before it can win grants.

“Clearly, what we need to do is get funding,” said Galves. “But we need to show that there’s a positive effect before we can get money.”

Grattet believes the program will benefit from those paying their fees.

“If you get people who voluntarily agree to pay these fees in order to avoid jail time,” Grattet said, “you’re going to get a certain class of offenders, the people who are least likely to recidivate to begin with.”

But once the program gets funded and admits clients who can’t afford it on their own, experts say the results might not be as successful.

“Ultimately, we have to make sure this is going to be evidence-based,” Superior Court Judge Jaime Romn said. “The alternative was nothing, and this provided something.”