From the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Attorney General Kamala Harris recently launched a new initiative designed to curb recidivism in California through partnerships between the California Department of Justice’s new Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry and the state’s counties and District Attorneys.
The division will support counties and district attorneys by partnering on best practices and policy initiatives, such as the development of a statewide definition of recidivism, identifying grants to fund the creation and expansion of innovative anti-recidivism programs and using technology to facilitate more effective data analysis and recidivism metrics.
"California’s District Attorneys bring vital experience to the challenge of reducing recidivism, and it is important their perspective is incorporated," Harris said. "This new division will support innovative, evidence-based approaches to recidivism solutions in California."
The Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry will consist of three subdivisions focused on program development, evaluation and grants. It will be funded through existing California Department of Justice resources.
"The Attorney General's initiative will provide local prosecutors with the accurate data we need to determine realignment's real impact on public safety," Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. "I look forward to working with other prosecutors in developing effective diversion programs for nonviolent offenders and seeking funds to expand alternative sentencing courts."
“I appreciate the leadership of Attorney General Harris in focusing our collective attention to best practices to reduce recidivism and crime in our communities,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said.
“As the California Criminal Justice System continues to recalibrate itself with the implementation of Realignment, the California Police Chiefs Association is encouraged by the Attorney General’s announcement that the Department of Justice will partner with counties to identify and implement successful reentry programs,” California Police Chiefs Association President Kim Raney said. “Ensuring public safety in our communities is the primary mission for Police Chiefs, and we welcome the Attorney General’s commitment to work with counties to ensure the safety of cities statewide.”
The Division will use innovative technology, such as the Department’s recently created California SmartJustice system, to analyze offender populations and recidivism risk factors. SmartJustice, a new database and analytical tool created by the California Department of Justice, can track repeat offenders and offense trends to provide counties with more effective options in developing anti-recidivism initiatives.
In 2005, then San Francisco District Attorney Harris created a reentry initiative called Back on Track, which aimed to reduce recidivism among certain low-level, non-violent drug offenders. Over a two-year period, the program reduced recidivism among its graduates to less than 10 percent. Back on Track was designated as a model for law enforcement by the US Department of Justice.
