Probation officers often find themselves with large, unmanageable caseloads, while judges are forced to choose between sending repeat justice-involved individuals away for long periods of time or ignoring probation or parole violations altogether. ‘Smart’ justice systems now offer better, cheaper, and more effective options. More states and localities are implementing strategies to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of drug-involved individuals on their criminal justice and corrections systems. These innovative programs include Alaska’s Justice involved individual Accountability with Certain Enforcement (PACE), Delaware’s ‘Decide Your Time’, and Arizona’s ‘Swift, Accountable, Fair Enforcement’ (SAFE) program.
The stated goal of Arizona’s Project SAFE (Swift, Accountable, Fair Enforcement) is to address illegal behavior quickly and proportionally, primarily drug use, so that justice-involved individuals will ultimately reduce their criminal behavior and successfully complete probation.
“Probation officers often find themselves with large, unmanageable caseloads, while judges are forced to choose between sending repeat justice-involved individuals away for long periods of time or ignoring probation or parole violations altogether. ‘Smart’ justice systems now offer better, cheaper, and more effective options. More states and localities are implementing strategies to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of drug-involved individuals on their criminal justice and corrections systems. These innovative programs include Alaska’s Justice involved individual Accountability with Certain Enforcement (PACE), Delaware’s ‘Decide Your Time’, and Arizona’s ‘Swift, Accountable, Fair Enforcement’ (SAFE) program.”
Swift and certain punishment for violating the terms of probation sends a consistent message to justice-involved individuals and affirms that there are consequences for illegal behavior. Research has shown that a quick response to a violation of probation is vital in shaping future behavior.
If the Court institutes Project SAFE as a term of probation, condition #20 will be checked, as indicated below:
*Office of National Drug Control Policy, Fact Sheet, Aug 2011
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/page/files/ alternatives_to_incarceration_fact_sheet_10-13-11.pdf>