County reduces juvenile crime through alternative sentencing programs

By John Andola

News Writer

Mandatory sentencing for non-violent crimes including drug use, drug possession and incarceration for family disputes has in recent years come under increased scrutiny. Jails and prisons are filled to capacity and the recidivism rate remains high. Efforts are currently designed to make use of alternative sentencing for first-time offenders of minor felonies and misdemeanors. Probation with community service, required counseling and anger management classes are more frequently being used as alternatives to incarceration.

Alternative sentencing is becoming more common especially in the case of juvenile offenders. Programs created in Monroe County in the mid 1990s led the way to reforming the system and reducing juvenile crime in the county. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office since January of 2001 has managed two important juvenile crime prevention programs. The intent of these programs is to become immediately involved with youthful offenders to help prevent further delinquent behavior and to prevent youthful offenders from becoming adult offenders.

The Juvenile Justice Act of 1994 reduced the obstacles caused by confidentiality and provided for local or regional alternatives to court filings, trial alternatives and sentencing. The legislation passed as a result of the increases in juvenile crime and because of the publicity surrounding the abject failures of the juvenile justice system.

When a juvenile is about to enter the justice system, the State Attorney, after consultation with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), may allow the youth to participate in the Intensive Delinquency Diversion Service (IDDS), thereby diverting the cast out of the juvenile court system. An IDDS case manager will then meet with the youth and parent or guardian to establish a plan that may include community service, drug testing, letters of apology, mental health therapy, vocational and academic counseling, anger management and, in some instances, restitution.

Financed by a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the IDDS program lasts an average of five to seven months, during which time the case manager meets regularly with the youth and parent to review compliance and assess plan goals and progress. When the youth successfully completes all requirements of the program, the case manager notifies the State Attorney who, in turn, agrees to take no action in the case against the youth. If the youth violates the terms of the program, the case is referred to the State Attorney and placed on the Juvenile Court docket.

The IDDS program deals primarily with youths who have committed a felony. If the youth commits a misdemeanor, less serious than a felony, the youth can be admitted to the Civil Citation Program (CCP). The CCP operates similarly to the IDDS, but also has a Teen Court component. Cases can be heard before the Teen Court (children ages 13-17 sit as jurors) who then determines what the youthful offender must be required to do to atone for his offense.

An offending youth gets one chance at these programs; if the youth offends again, the case is referred to the State Attorney and Juvenile Court. Monroe County has up to 38 slots in the IDDS program, which usually has upwards of 15-25 youths being serviced. Sherwood “Woody” Hanford at the Sheriff’s Department is the program coordinator who also serves on a number of different boards in the county. He also works very closely with Billy Davis, founder and director of A Positive Step Monroe County.

According to Becky Herrin, Public Relations officer for the Sheriff’s Department, “it is important for the community to know that we do try to take kids who are beginning on the wrong path and set them straight. We try our best to keep them away from the Criminal Justice System.” Hanford also mentors students on his own and works closely with the Florida Youth Challenge Academy, which is sponsored by the Florida National Guard.

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