Probation supervision programs help reduce recidivism

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth T. Clement recently released new data about the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP), which targets medium- to high-risk felony offenders with a history of probation violations or failures. Notably, unemployment among SSSPP graduates was reduced by more than two-thirds. Previous analysis also showed that graduates of SSSPPs were 36 percent less likely to reoffend, compared to those who completed regular probation programs.

“Through intensive oversight and supervision, individuals in Swift and Sure programs get the specialized and structured help they need to avoid falling back into habits that may have prevented them from succeeding in traditional probation programs,” said Clement during an SSSPP graduation ceremony at the 29th Circuit Court in St. Johns. “I am proud of these courts for their dedication to the program participants, and I am pleased that we are able to provide critical funding for these remarkable programs that are truly strengthening communities and saving lives around the state.”

Other Fiscal Year 2017 report findings and facts about SSSPP in Michigan:

• Eighty percent of SSSPP graduates had no bench warrants issued while in the program.

• Graduates of SSSPPs averaged 201 drug and alcohol tests while in the program, and nearly 100 percent of them passed.

• Twenty-five circuit courts have SSSPPs, which covers 28counties.

• There are more than 1,200 current probationers.

• As the number of programs and probationers continues to increase, the cost per probationer continues to decrease.

SSSPP participants are closely monitored through frequent meetings with Michigan Department of Corrections probationand/or court case management staff, and are often tested for drug or alcohol use. SSSPPs aim to improve probationer success by imposing immediate and short jail sanctions for probation violations.

Michigan’s SSSPP started in 2012 with four courts. SSSPP performance is tracked by the Supreme Court as part of a broader performance measures initiative to monitor court performance statewide. Data collected is used to identify and share best practices and to target areas that need improvement.

More information is available at: http://courts.mi.gov/administration/ admin/op/performance/pages/default.aspx.