Interstate Compact and Substance Abuse

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8:00 am - 9:30 am

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The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision provides a mechanism for supervision responsibilities to be transferred to a state other than the one where an offender is convicted, with the goal of ensuring placement where the best chances for successful supervision exist. In the case of the many offenders who struggle with substance abuse, this may mean facilitating transfers to allow offenders to attend out-of-state treatment programs. While the Interstate Compact rules do not specifically address treatment and how these cases should be handled, the rules do provide guidance to states to ensure that Interstate Compact offenders are afforded the same opportunities and treatment as those sentenced in the supervising state. This useful workshop, which is intended for community supervision and judicial professionals, will cover these issues and the challenges presented in dealing with offenders placed out of state who exhibit substance abuse issues during the term of supervision. Emphasis will also be placed on the importance of educating the judiciary on the Interstate Compact process prior to sentencing and on the need to verify the legitimacy of programs prior to requesting transfer.