Reentry courts are “specialized courts that help reduce recidivism and improve public safety through the use of judicial oversight to apply graduated sanctions and positive reinforcement, to marshal resources to support the prisoner’s reintegration, and to promote positive behavior by the returning prisoners (Bureau of Justice Assistance 2010).”
Excerpts from Center for Court Innovation Reentry Toolkit – TOOL BOX [20 – 41]
Federal Reentry Courts
The “Tribal Reentry Community Court” (TCRC) is an evidence-based practice designed to address historically high non-technical violations of probation or supervised release in tribal areas in the Uintah Basin in Eastern Utah and the Four Corners region in Southeast Utah. This reentry court is presided over and managed by Magistrate Judge Pead and his staff, with critical support from the United States Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Public Defender. A team of representatives from those offices meet with Judge Pead monthly to address the success and challenges of those admitted to the court, alternating between on-location meetings (Vernal or Aneth, Utah) and Video-Teleconferencing. Both participants referred and ordered to attend TCRC, as well as voluntary placements, comprise the total number of participants. TCRC assesses points for success each month, not just for an absence of violation, but meaningful progress toward employment, family relationships, and positive community interactions. After a certain number of points is obtained TCRC, upon consultation with all invested parties, will make recommendations to the assigned District Judge which can include early termination of supervised release, among other things.
TCRC seeks to maintain increased and positive supervision of participants, address problems and concerns (including issuing sanctions as necessary) before such become formal violations, and to overall assist participants to improve view of self and circumstances. Most often, participants are ordered to attend TCRC as part of conditions of supervised release, but applications can be made for inclusion by contacting Judge Pead’s chambers. The schedule for TCRC hearings can also be obtained by contacting Judge Pead’s chambers.
This is a RurAL CAP affiliated program.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes: The Bureau of Justice Statistics, The National Institute of Justice, The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office.
Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.