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<p class=MsoPlainText>Visionaries:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>My gratitude to Rose Huskey (<a
href="http://www.cleaning-house.org/">http://www.cleaning-house.org/</a>) for
giving permission to post her latest phenomenal blog entry and letter to our
Board of County Commissioners about adult misdemeanor probation here on the Viz
– see below my sig.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>This is an effort I *wholeheartedly* support – it seems
absolutely ludicrous to me to sentence adults to probation that has no real
oversight. IMHO, the whole notion of “on your honor”
probation is an oxymoron, particularly for repeat offenders like Jason Kenneth
Hamilton.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Saundra Lund<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Moscow, ID<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://cleaning-house.org/?p=569">http://cleaning-house.org/?p=569</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Adult
Misdemeanor Probation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>I have sent the
following email to our County Commissioners in the hope that a county-wide
dialogue will begin in the very near future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>May 29, 2007<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Dear
Commissioners Barrett, Nelson, and Stroschein,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The
heartbreaking consequences of Jason Hamilton rampage leave many Latah County
residents wondering what might have prevented such tragic events. We cannot
undo the mistakes which, arguably, occurred in the post-conviction(s)
supervision of Mr. Hamilton. We can however, act decisively to honor the memory
of his victims in a meaningful way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Currently,
twenty-three of Idaho’s forty-six counties have Adult Misdemeanor
Probation Departments. Of the ten counties with populations between twenty and
fifty thousand residents, eight (Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Cassia, Elmore,
Jefferson, Madison, and Nez Perce) have initiated programs to monitor selected
adult misdemeanor offenders. Only two, Latah and Payette County, have chosen
not to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Latah County appears
to use a reactive rather than a proactive approach to misdemeanor offenses.
There is simply no realistic way for a sitting judge to proactively monitor all
aspects of the conditions he mandates. Consequently, county residents are
vulnerable to a process which relies primarily on the promises of a convicted
offender to abide by probation conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Many counties
have had Adult Misdemeanor Probation programs in place for several years. Nez
Perce County, for example, operates under the following guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The Adult
Misdemeanor Probation was established as a department of Nez Perce County Court
Services in 1998. The purpose is to address selected defendants who are guilty
of misdemeanor offenses by supervising their compliance to the terms of
probation, and to hold offenders accountable in some meaningful way.
Probationers are offered the opportunity to remain in the community while
addressing their needs and paying back the community in any number of ways.
Offenses typical to misdemeanor probation include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Driving
Under the Influence <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Domestic
Violence, Stalking, Violation of Protection Orders <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Petit
Theft <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Battery
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Misdemeanor
possession of controlled substance and paraphernalia <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Minor
in possession of alcohol <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Driving
Without Privileges <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Various
felonies amended to misdemeanors <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Through
collaboration with various community and social service agencies and partners,
and with various treatment and counseling services, the department hopes to
provide appropriate intervention to offenders to enhance their competencies and
reduce future re-offending. Referrals may include any of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Appropriate
evaluations <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Substance
abuse treatment <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Domestic
violence treatment <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Mental
health services <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Counseling
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Anger
Management <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Cognitive
restructuring program <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Educational/
vocational opportunities <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Parenting
programs <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Job
Searches <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Sexual
offender treatment.” <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>I urge you to
immediately appoint a task force to develop a plan to implement an Adult
Misdemeanor Probation Department in Latah County. An effective, knowledgeable
task force would include a representative from the Prosecutor’s Office,
the Latah County Sheriff’s Department, Moscow Police Department, and a
Public Defender. The smaller the group the more efficiently and rapidly it
could address the issues and report back to you. It is, of course, your
responsibility to implement, or reject, the findings and recommendations of the
group in a timely manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Heartfelt
condolences at memorial services become little more than socially required
platitudes if no action is taken to rectify the current, unacceptable status
quo. Please place this issue on your agenda for public discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Rose Huskey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
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