< Previous10 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3 table of contents departments features11 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION instructions to authors Perspectives disseminates information to the American Probation and Parole Association’s members on relevant policy and program issues and provides updates on activities of the Association. The membership represents adult and juvenile probation, parole, and community corrections agencies throughout the United States and abroad. Articles submitted for publication are screened by an editorial committee and, on occasion, selected reviewers, to determine acceptability based on relevance to the field of criminal justice, clarity of presentation, or research methodology. Perspectives does not reflect unsupported personal opinions. Articles must be emailed to deadlines: Unless previously discussed with the editors, submissions should not exceed 12 typed pages, numbered consecutively, and double-spaced. All charts, graphs, tables, and photographs must be of reproduction quality. Optional titles may be submitted and selected after review with the editors. All submissions must be in English and in American Psychological Association (APA) Style. Authors should provide a one-paragraph biography, along with contact information. Notes should be used only for clarification or substantive comments, and should appear at the end of the text. References to source documents should appear in the body of the text with the author’s surname and the year of publication in parentheses, e.g., to (Mattson, 2015, p. 73). Alphabetize each reference at the end of the text using the following format: Mattson, B. (2015). Technology supports decision making in health and justice. Perspectives, 39(4), 70-79. Hanser, R. D. (2014). Community corrections (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. While the editors of Perspectives reserve the right to suggest modifications to any contribution, all authors will be responsible for, and given credit for, final versions of articles selected for publication. Submissions will not be returned to contributors. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences American Correctional Association Association of Paroling Authorities International Association of Women Executives in Corrections AZ Chief Probation Officers Association AZ Probation Officers Association AZ Probation Parole and Corrections Association Chief Probation Officers of CA Confederation of European Probation County Chief Adult Probation and Parole Officers Association of PA Crime Prevention Coalition of America / National Crime Prevention Council Dismas Charities, Inc. FL Association of Community Corrections IJIS Institute International Community Corrections Association Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision KS Association of Court Services Officers Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association MN Association of Community Corrections Act Counties MN Association of County Probation Officers MN Corrections Association National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies National Association of Probation Executives NC Probation & Parole Association New England Council on Crime and Delinquency New Zealand Association of Probation Officers NY State Council of Probation Administrators NY State Probation Officers’ Association OH Chief Probation Officers Association OR Juvenile Deptartment Directors’ Association PA Association on Probation, Parole and Corrections Probation and Community Corrections Officers Association Probation Association of New Jersey Probation Officers Association of Wielkopolska Probation Officers Professional Association of IN SC Probation and Parole Association TX Probation Association VA Community Criminal Justice Association VA Probation and Parole Association WV Association of Probation Officers appa affiliate members12 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3 We seek to create a system of community justice where: A full range of sanctions and services provides public safety by insuring humane, effective and individualized sentences for offenders and support and protection for victims; Primary prevention initiatives are cultivated through our leadership and guidance; Our communities are empowered to own and participate in solutions; Results are measured and direct our service delivery; Dignity and respect describe how each person is treated; Staff are empowered and supported in an environment of honesty, inclusion and respect for differences; and Partnerships with stakeholders lead to shared ownership of our vision. The American Probation and Parole Association is an affiliate of and receives its secretariat services from The Council of State Governments (CSG). CSG, the multibranch association of the states and U.S. territories, works with state leaders across the nation and through its regions to put the best ideas and solutions into practice. BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Tim D. Hardy President Brian Lovins President-Elect Susan Rice Vice President Tom Gregory Treasurer Joseph Russo Secretary Gregory Dillon At-Large Member Gene Cotter At-Large Member Francine Perretta At-Large Affiliate Erika Preuitt Immediate Past-President Veronica Ballard Cunningham Executive Director PRODUCTION STAFF Faye Taxman Perspectives Co-Editor Veronica Cunningham Editor in Chief Nathan Lowe Production Coordinator John R. Higgins Designer SERVICES DIRECTORY General (859) 244-8000 Publication Orders (859) 244-8204 General Institute (859) 244-8204 Information Clearinghouse (859) 244-8204 Membership (859) 244-8212 Request for Training (859) 244-8057 Resource Expo (859) 244-8214 Perspectives Advertising (859) 244-8214 Communications should be addressed to: American Probation and Parole Association c/o The Council of State Governments 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY, 40511 Fax: (859) 244-8001, Perspectives is published four times annually by the American Probation and Parole Association through its secretariat office in Lexington, Kentucky. ISSN 0821-1507 Reprint permission. Direct requests for permission to use material published in Perspectives in writing to © 2019 The Council of State Governments13 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION 14 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3 CorrectTech Eric Tumperi CEO 1450 East 62nd Avenue Denver, CO, 80216 Phone: (404) 867.5891 Corrections Software Solutions James Redus President 316 North Lamar Street Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 347.1366 Fax: (512) 347.1310 Email: DXC Technology John Schloemann National Sales Leader – Public Sector 4830 West Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 900 Tampa, FL 33609 Phone: (877) 744.1360 Email: Geo Care Monica Hook Marketing Communications Director 621 NW 53rd Street, Suite 700 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Phone: (800) 241.2911 x 1230 Email: Intoxalock Linda Vadel Affiliate Marketing Coordinator 11035 Aurora Avenue Des Moines, IA 50322 Direct: (515) 251.3747 Mobile: (515) 393.1490 Email: Journal Technologies Derek Harris Sales and Marketing Manager 843 South 100 West Logan, UT 84321 Phone: (435) 713.2100 Email: LifeSafer Pete Andrews National Director of Business Development 215 Southport Drive, Suite 400 Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: (919) 280.6846 Email: Alkermes Jeffrey Harris Director, Public Policy 852 Winter Street Waltham, MA 02451 Phone: (617) 852.7356 Email: American Prison Data System Mott Middleton Chief Revenue Officer 601 Wesy 26th Street, Suite 325 New York, NY 10001 Phone: (646) 877.1825 Email: Attenti Kerri Ryan Director of Marketing and Business Development 1838 Gunn Highway Odessa, FL 33556 Phone: (813) 749.5454 x 1275 Email: averhealth Justin Manni Director of Business Development 1700 Bayberry Court, Suite 105 Richmond, VA 23226 Phone: (848) 992.3650 Email: Call2Test Sam Hotchkiss CTO 7040 Avenida Encinas, Suite 104-391 Carlsbad, CA 92010 Phone: (800) 614.6758 cFIVE James Newman VP of Sales & Marketing 23382 Mill Creek Drive, Suite 220 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Phone: (949) 260.3002 connectrex Kevin Griffin Senior Vice President 400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 506 South San Francisco, CA 94080 Phone: (650) 872.5000 x 114 Corporations with an interest in the field of probation, parole, and community corrections are invited to become APPA corporate members. Corporate members receive benefits such as enhanced visibility among APPA’s international network of community corrections professionals, as well as shared information on the latest trends and issues that specifically affect community corrections. CSS Corrections Software Solutions APPA CORPORATE MEMBERS15 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION APPA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AdventFS Daniel Flick Sales Manager 2927 Ring Road Elizabethtown, KY, 42701 Phone: (270) 209.0422 Email: Buddi Limited Steve Chapin Chief Location Luminary 2710 Alt 19 North Palm Harbor, FL 34683 Phone: (727) 560.8432 Email: Precision Kiosk Technologies David Kreitzer General Manager 2855 Country Drive, Suite 100 Little Canada, MN 55117 Phone: (651) 383.1213 National Curriculum and Training Institute Gary Bushkin President 319 East McDowell Road, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1534 Phone: (602) 252.3100 Email: Website: Noble Software Diana Norris President 1320 Yuba Street, Suite 212 Redding, CA 96001 Phone: (979) 248.6568 Email: Website: Promise Diana Frappier Chief Legal Officer 436 14th Street, Ste 920 Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (415) 305.4560 Email: Website: Securus Technologies Jose Andrade Vice President, Sales 14651 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600 Dallas, TX 75254 Phone: (800) 844.6591 Email: Website: SCRAM Systems Jennifer Mill Marketing Manager 1241 West Mineral Avenue Littleton, CO 80120 Phone: (303) 785.7828 Email: Website: Smart Start, Inc. Michelle H. Whitaker Conference and Promotions Coordinator 500 East Dallas Road Grapevine, TX 76051 Phone (919) 604.2513 Email: Website: The Change Companies Jesse Tillotson National Director of Justice Services 5221 Sigstrom Drive Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: (888) 889.8866 Email: Website: Track Group Matthew Swando VP of Sales and Marketing 1215 North Lakeview Court Romeoville, IL 60446 Phone: (877) 260.2010 TRACKtech Ben Williams Vice President - Business Development 6295 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Suite 100 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Phone: (303)834-7519 Tyler Technologies Larry Stanton Director of Sales - Courts & Justice 5101 Tennyson Parkway Plano, TX 75024 Phone: (904) 654.3741 Vant4ge Sean Hosman National Sales Leader – Public Sector P.O. Box 802 Salt Lake City, UT 84110 Phone: (877) 744.136016 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3 16 The First Step Act (“Act,” hereafter) was a long time coming. The impact of some of its provisions will be immediate, making a real difference in individual lives that should not be discounted. These include the expanded release program for older inmates, restrictions on solitary confinement for juveniles, and sentencing reforms – albeit moderate. Other provisions are more incremental, and their overall impact can be anticipated but not immediately observed. We must be aware that the Act’s implementation timeline and “fine print” involve carrying out pilot programs. They involve developing and providing access to recidivism reduction courses. And they involve decisions and actions on the part of the Attorney General that are hard to predict. Michelle Phelps gives an excellent overview of these issues. Of course, the Act only involves those adjudicated for federal offenses, a number small in comparison to those under the jurisdiction of the states, and the actual number of those whose sentences will be altered may be in the low thousands. Nonetheless, the extent to which these reforms are successful may well have an outsized impact on IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS BY VERONICA CUNNINGHAM17 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION 17 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION public perceptions. The Act in part mirrors various reforms already undertaken at the state level, as Horowitz and Velasquez explain, but the coverage of – and interest in – the legislation has been significant, creating the potential for a considerable ripple effect. Given that the Act only covers those in, or being released from federal prisons, it’s difficult to determine what it means for others released from facilities. At APPA we will be watching to see whether and how these changes affect supervising officers and those on their caseloads. Will it perhaps encourage more widespread reforms in states that have been holding back? It is worth noting that the Act calls for expanded recidivism reduction programs. Participating in such programming will allow inmates to earn credit worth up to one-third of their sentences. Those in the front line of community supervision, whether at the county, state, or federal level, have long had a keen interest in developing and maximizing the effectiveness of such programs, so this is familiar territory. Will we see some productive sharing and overlap/ crossover in program development? I’m also interested in the issue of continuity between programs for the incarcerated and post-release. Another area of particular interest to me is the fact that the Act recognizes the need to provide additional reentry resources – resources that can increase the chance of success upon release. To the extent that these can provide a meaningful second chance, they are another step in the right direction. Such efforts are once again familiar territory for APPA members at all levels. While these reforms begin their slow march forward, it’s tempting to have a wait and see approach. But wait and see is not enough. As has been said by many others, the Act is just a first step, and it only provides incremental changes, not a complete solution to the problem of mass incarceration. Incremental changes can snowball, but only if we work to make that happen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR VERONICA CUNNINGHAM is the current Executive Director for the American Probation and Parole Association. She was a justice system practitioner and reentry professional for more than 25 years – holding leadership positions as the Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division and Chief of the Cook County Adult Probation Department in Chicago. She can be reached at *CONGRESS' FIRST STEP ACT REFLECTS A NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONSENSUS, BUT WILL IT REDUCE MASS INCARCERATION? BY MICHELLE PHELPS, PH.D.19 AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION When Donald Trump was elected president, many people feared his “law and order” campaign rhetoric would mean the end of criminal justice reform. Trump confirmed this impression by appointing Jeff Sessions, an aggressive supporter of the “wars” on crime and drugs, to lead the Justice Department. Sessions quickly reversed a number of the progressive reforms introduced under President Barack Obama, including reducing penalties for drug offenses, ending private prison contracts, and investigating conduct of local police departments. Yet by December 2018, Jeff Sessions had resigned and the federal government passed a criminal justice reform bill, the “First Step Act.” The law reduces prison sentences, by changing the sentencing guidelines and facilitating early release, and supports education and treatment programs in prison. The bill was supported by the White House, Republican and Democratic leaders, and an unlikely set of advocates from progressive non-profits like the Brennan Center and American Civil Liberties Union to the conservative Koch Brothers. The following month, Trump seemingly reversed course again, appointing William Barr – another staunch supporter of the “tough on crime” approach – to replace Sessions. How do we make sense of these seemingly contradictory developments and alliances? I have found in my research that criminal justice policies and practices in the United States have often followed complex trajectories. Reforms often receive support from unlikely coalitions. But, by focusing on these strange bedfellows, commentators and advocates sometimes paper over the deeper disagreements in ideas about who, how and how much to punish. Fights over these differences ultimately shape how policies get put into practice – and whether the bill ultimately achieves its intended outcomes. While the First Step Act’s passage may look like a clear victory for more moderate punishment, its implementation and impact under the Trump administration is likely to be quite limited. BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON “REFORM” Criminal justice is often described by academics and journalists as a pendulum that swings wildly between harsh punishment focused on retribution, and more lenient treatment focused on redemption or reformation. In this metaphor, some people saw Trump’s election as a swing of the pendulum away from progressive punishment and back toward punitive policies. In our book Breaking the Pendulum, my colleagues Joshua Page and Philip Goodman and I argue that a better metaphor is the constant, low-level grinding of tectonic plates Next >