Introduction
High-risk persons under supervision face special challenges as they attempt to reenter the community. They require targeted interventions to address multiple issues. Research reflects higher risk individuals should receive the most intensive and extensive interventions. The Rebuild, Engage, Support, Empower, and Transform Initiative (RESET) is designed to increase the opportunity for success of high-risk persons on supervised release and is aimed at helping those recently released who are at most risk to violate their supervised release. We should target supervision and treatment resources to address the criminogenic needs identified in the Post-Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA). As we measure the results of the interventions, we adjust the supervision process as required.
Recently, in an annual report the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prepared on their specialty/reentry court, Supervision to Aid Reentry (STAR), for the high-risk people under supervision, they related only 13% of the participants have been revoked since the inception of the program in 2007. This rate is significantly lower than the district’s revocation rate for high-risk individuals who are not enrolled in the program.
In 2022, the national average for cases closed (terminated from supervision) through revocation, for high-risk people under supervision, was 75.8%, while in the District of Utah, the revocation rate was 85.4%.
To identify the participants for this program, the probation office will use an evidence-based practices tool developed by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which was referenced above as the PCRA. The purpose of the PCRA is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of post-conviction supervision to determine the likelihood of recidivism and violent crimes. It identifies which persons to target for monitoring restrictions and interventions, what characteristics or needs to address, and how to deliver supervision and treatment in a way that optimizes positive outcomes. It considers such things as Criminal History, Education/Employment, Substance Abuse, Social Networks, Cognitions, Other (Housing, Finances, Recreation), and Responsivity Factors. Scores can range from Low; Low/Moderate; Moderate; or High. For RESET, our targeted population are Moderate 3 and High individuals.
By providing this population earlier, positive, and more frequent judicial intervention, this program offers the probation office an additional resource that may lead to better results and fewer revocation hearings. A judicial officer’s involvement in the ongoing process of change is instrumental to a positive outcome.
Mission
It is the mission of the District of Utah’s Rebuild, Engage, Support, Empower, and Transform Initiative (RESET) to provide high-risk participants with improved chances of avoiding reoffending while increasing the likelihood of successfully completing supervision. This will be accomplished through combining supervision strategies, structured cognitive behavioral therapy (this could include substance-abuse and mental-health treatment), goal setting, and regular interaction with a judicial officer.
Goals
- Enhance community safety.
- Reduce substance abuse and related criminal activity.
- Provide resources and support to assist participants.
- Reward positive life changes while maintaining accountability for negative behavior.
- Reduce rearrest, technical violations, and overall recidivism.
Program Description
The reentry program is a supervised, comprehensive program for individuals under post-conviction supervision. The program combines the efforts of the U.S. District Court, U.S. Probation Office, and treatment providers. The Office of the U.S. Attorney and the Federal Public Defender’s Office will also play a vital role in the program.
This program involves regular court appearances, community supervision, cognitive behavioral therapy, substance-abuse and/or mental-health treatment as necessary, and prosocial community activities. The program is designed to include two components, each component shall span at least one year, based on each participant’s progress. Each individual must be willing to take part in all program components. Participants, who successfully complete the reentry program, will be eligible for early termination of their term of supervision. The amount of time off the term of supervision shall be determined by the sentencing judge but shall be no less than one (1) year.
Eligibility
(A) – Screening: The U.S. Probation Office will oversee all potential participants based on their assessed risk/needs and adjustment to community supervision. Referrals will be made via email to the presiding reentry program judge for approval. The Federal Public Defender’s Office and the Office of the U.S. Attorney shall also be included in the email referral. Referrals shall include a copy of the presentence report and a brief narrative summarizing the basis of the referral (this could include security threat group affiliation, history of substance abuse, history of violence, violations, the risk level, and judgement and commitment).
(B) – Criteria:
- Post-Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA) scores of Moderate 3 or High 1, 2, or 3. Individuals outside these risk levels may be admitted by the presiding judicial officer and as agreed upon by the other RESET members.
- At least 24 months of supervised release remaining on their term of supervised release.
- Participation is upon order of the Court and the recommendation of the U.S. Probation Office.
- Complete any substance-abuse and/or mental-health assessments and any recommended treatment as referred and agreed upon by the U.S. Probation Office.
- Jurisdiction must be in the District of Utah.
- Participants will primarily reside in Salt Lake County.
(C) – Ineligibility:
- Participants who are currently on federal supervision for a sex offense.
- Participation in another reentry court.
Structure
The reentry program is a two-stage program designed to be completed in a period of no less than twenty-four (24) months. The first stage, which will be approximately twelve (12) months, is characterized by active participation in a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group, which could include substance-abuse or mental-health treatment, as well as monthly judicial intervention hearings. CBT is a structured treatment program that focuses on decision making and problem solving.
The second stage, which will also last approximately twelve (12) months, focuses on the individual’s adjustment to supervision, developing more positive social networks and activities, and includes every-other-month or quarterly attendance at judicial intervention hearings.
Participants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of each CBT lesson and provide examples of how they have applied the lessons in daily situations they encounter. These lessons will encourage participants to take responsibility for their actions, develop an understanding of their criminal behavior patterns, and the impact of their behavior on their self, family, and community.
Finally, the participant will prepare and present a checklist of short- and long-term goals prior to graduation from the reentry program.
Measuring Progress
Monthly meetings with RESET team members will be held on the same day and prior to the monthly progress sessions.
Participation should last no less than a total of twenty-four (24) months of satisfactory performance. During stage one, the reentry program judge will award one credit per week of satisfactory performance. This will be addressed at each judicial intervention hearing as the assigned U.S. Probation Officer will provide a monthly written update to all parties involved. To complete stage one and two, the participant will need to have accumulated 52 credits for each stage.
Monthly Meetings
The purpose of the monthly meetings is to allow the team members to review and comment on the participant’s progress, including if goals were met for the month. In the event of a violation, each team member will give a recommendation and the judicial officer will decide on an appropriate sanction. Goals for the next month are set for each participant. The judicial officer decides whether a participant has made satisfactory progress for that month and how many credits to award the individual.
Monthly Progress Sessions
The judicial officer recognizes the attorneys and the probation officer and explains the session will be in a group setting. Participants are expected to stay for the session unless excused by the Court. The judicial officer advises the Court may require a sidebar for confidential issues that may arise.
Any guests (employers, educators, family members, and/or treatment providers) shall be introduced at the beginning of each session. The judicial officer may provide a brief orientation of the reentry court for any new participants. The judicial officer individually meets with and addresses each participant and reviews their progress from the previous month. Guests are allowed to make comments on the participant’s progress. The judicial officer asks the government, defense counsel, and probation officer for additional comments. Goals for the next month are set.
Incentives
- Reduced supervision upon successful completion of the reentry program.
- Public acknowledgement of success by the Court.
- Promotion certificates at completion of each stage and upon graduation.
- Graduation reception for the participant, family, friends, and others.
- May also include other items as deemed appropriate by the Court.
*The Court reserves the right to provide other items to the individuals as they participate in the renetry court.
Sanctions
Consistent with the program’s mission and goals, all noncompliant actions, missed meetings, missed treatment, missed drug tests, etc. will be individually addressed with positive outcomes in mind. When deemed appropriate, and in accordance with national and local noncompliance policy, sanctions may be administered to address noncompliant behavior. The reentry program judge shall have the authority to impose any sanction(s) deemed appropriate. These sanctions/actions may consist of any of the following:
- No credit given toward 52-week program total for any period in which performance is unsatisfactory
- Judicial reprimand
- Curfew
- Increased reporting
- Geographic and association restrictions
- Community service requirement
- Location monitoring
- Public law placement at the Residential Reentry Center
- Custodial period
- Referral to the District Court for revocation of supervision, which could include suspension of the program and imprisonment
*The Court reserves the discretion on imposing sanctions.
OVERVIEW AND REQUIREMENTS OF STAGES
STAGE ONE: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Judicial Intervention
Time Period
The individual has earned a total of 52 credits, a minimum of twelve (12) months.
Goals
Develop an understanding of triggers leading to criminal behavior and factors that influence repeat criminal behavior. Acquire tools that serve as a foundation for living a life free of criminal activity.
Expectations
- Attend weekly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy related to criminal behavior or as directed. Additional substance-abuse and/or mental-health treatment may be required, if deemed necessary by the reentry program judge.
- Attend monthly judicial intervention hearings with judicial officer, U.S. Probation Officer, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant Federal Defender. Report on lessons learned and how they have impacted them.
- Obtain and maintain lawful employment, unless otherwise excused.
- Establish a stable residence, as approved by the assigned probation officer.
- Comply with all conditions of supervision.
- Complete other goals, as directed.
- Meet with the assigned probation officer, as directed.
- Attend judicial intervention hearings, as required.
Minimum Requirements for Completion of Stage One
- At least 52 credits issued by the reentry program judge, completion of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or other approved treatment program, and minimal noncompliance issues.
- Stable living arrangements
- Must be lawfully and legally employed, unless otherwise excused by the assigned probation officer.
- Develop a written recidivism prevention plan addressing long-term strategies for living free of criminal activity.
STAGE TWO: Supervision Adjustment and Judicial Intervention
Time Period
Comply with all conditions of supervision for a period of twelve (12) months.
Goals
Demonstrate a commitment to abiding by the conditions of supervision and being a productive member of the community. Begin to identify and understand negative impact of behaviors on self, family, and community, and to take responsibility for same in a life-skills educational or employment program and obtain and maintain employment.
Expectations
- Continue with responsible supervision plan under regular supervision. Discuss skills and use of skills with U.S. Probation Officer.
- Attend every-other-month or quarterly judicial intervention hearings, as instructed, and report progress to the court.
- Obtain and maintain lawful employment, unless otherwise excused.
- Comply with all supervision conditions.
- Meet with the probation officer, as directed.
- Complete other goals, as directed.
Minimum Requirements for Completion of Stage Two
- At least 12 months positive supervision adjustment, satisfactory treatment progress and minimal noncompliance issues.
- Stable living arrangement.
- Must be lawfully employed, unless otherwise excused.
- Prepare and present a short-term and long-term goals plan.
Post-Graduation Requirements
- Upon successful completion of Stage Two, the individual will have completed and graduated from the reentry program. At that time, the reentry program team will recommend early termination to the sentencing judge. The amount of time off the term of supervision shall be determined by the sentencing judge.
- Should the individual have time remaining on their supervision, they shall continue to comply with the conditions of their supervision until their release from supervision.
Termination
All high severity and/or reoccurring noncompliance will be staffed with the reentry court team to determine if the conduct warrants termination from the program.
An example of high severity noncompliance may include, but is not limited to, new felonious criminal conduct, absconding from supervision, or failure to appear for judicial intervention hearings. Reoccurring noncompliance may include, but is not limited to, continual failure to appear for treatment and appointments, habitual misdemeanor criminal conduct, and/or the continued use of illegal substances.
Policy on Mission Treatment and Drug Tests
It is required that every participant notify their probation officer immediately but no longer than twenty-four (24) hours after any missed treatment or drug test. All unexcused absences will be staffed with the reentry court judge and the probation officer to determine appropriate action.
Orientation for New Participants
The Rebuild, Engage, Support, Empower, and Transform Initiative (RESET) is designed to increase the opportunity for success on post-conviction release and is aimed at helping persons recently released from federal custody who are most at risk to violate their release. This is determined by several factors, including prior criminal history, education, history of violence, connection to family, history of substance abuse and/or alcohol abuse, security threat group affiliation, housing needs, and employment history.
Appearance at the monthly progress sessions is required unless excused by the probation officer and judicial officer. Participants are also expected to stay for the entire monthly progress session, unless excused by the Court. The presiding judicial officer will review the progress, which includes listening to remarks by all team members and any visitors, this could include family members, employers, and/or treatment providers. The presiding judicial officer will be the final decisionmaker regarding rewards/credits for compliant behavior and sanctions for violations; however, the sentencing judicial officer will be the final decision maker regarding serious violations.
This program expects that participants will succeed at supervision and at life; the timing of success, however, is up to the participant. This is a unique opportunity for the participant to accomplish such success in a two-year period. The program offers the participant the structure and support that will increase the participant’s ability to succeed in an accelerated time frame. It is expected that each participant will achieve or establish full-time employment, compliance with all conditions of supervision, maintain stable residence, have positive connections with the community and family members, as well as abstinence and sobriety.
A graduation ceremony will be held at the monthly progress sessions and a certificate of completion will be awarded by the Court upon the accumulation of 52 credits in Phases One and Two of the program. Along with successful termination from the program, early termination for a period of no less than twelve (12) months from supervision will be recommended from the RESET team members to the sentencing judicial officer.
RESET Program Acknowledgement.pdf