|
Press Release - October 1, 2003
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
| FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
|
For
More Information, Contact: |
| October 1, 2003 |
|
Coria
Holland, Director of Communications |
| |
|
617-727-5335,
ext. 258 |
CHINESE
DELEGATION VISITS JUVENILE RESOURCE CENTER
IN SEARCH OF ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION
Boston-On September 26,
a delegation from the Justice Ministry of China stopped at
the Juvenile Resource Center for a discussion of alternatives
to incarceration in Massachusetts. The group, lead by Minister
of Justice Zhang Fusen, spent nearly two hours learning about
successful alternative to incarceration approaches in Massachusetts
developed through the collaboration of the Massachusetts Sentencing
Commission, Massachusetts Probation Service and Office of Community
Corrections. These programs, also known as intermediate sanctions,
combine treatment and control in a manner that is more stringent
than traditional probation or parole but does not constitute
incarceration.
The presentation began with a short summary of the role of the Massachusetts
Sentencing Commission by the Honorable Robert Mulligan, chairman of the
Commission. The Commission developed a grid system to guide judges in their
sentencing of criminal offenders which incorporates the use of intermediate
sanctions. Commissioner of Probation John O'Brien described the vital role
probation officers play in monitoring offenders and reporting to the court
on their progress. Finally, Stephen V. Price, Executive Director of the
Office of Community Corrections described the network of community corrections
centers established to deliver intermediate sanctions to appropriate offenders.
An offender sentenced to an intermediate sanction may be required to attend
GED classes and substance abuse treatment, perform community service, submit
to random drug tests and be monitored by electronic bracelet. To meet these
requirements the offender must go to a community corrections center. Currently,
there are 21 community corrections centers across Massachusetts monitoring
nearly 900 offenders per day. Intermediate sanctions saves the Commonwealth
millions of dollars by monitoring appropriate offenders in the community
while reserving prison beds for the most violent offenders.
The Chinese delegation, which included judges from China's highest courts,
spent more than a week in the United States with meetings in Washington
D.C., New York, and Boston. The group's Boston visit was coordinated by
Assistant U.S. Attorney Antoinette Leoney.
 |
From
let to right: Steve Price, Executive
Director of Community Corrections, Honorable
Judge Robert Mulligan, Chinese Minister
of Justice Zhang Fusen, and Massachusetts
Commissioner of Probation John O'Brien
|
|
|
|
