Comments on: It’s time to wake up (updated) http://apublicdefender.com/2009/12/27/its-time-to-wake-up/ Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:43:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Guilty of being poor | a public defender http://apublicdefender.com/2009/12/27/its-time-to-wake-up/comment-page-1/#comment-58133 Guilty of being poor | a public defender Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:41:50 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2616#comment-58133 [...] is just a few minor edits away from being close to the truth. The reality is that in the volume-high, fund-low world of indigent defense, most people are certainly guilty of one thing: being [...] [...] is just a few minor edits away from being close to the truth. The reality is that in the volume-high, fund-low world of indigent defense, most people are certainly guilty of one thing: being [...]

]]> By: Blawg Review #245 « Charon QC http://apublicdefender.com/2009/12/27/its-time-to-wake-up/comment-page-1/#comment-52799 Blawg Review #245 « Charon QC Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:47:05 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2616#comment-52799 [...] A selection of Gideon posts on the death penalty in the US: Death penalty’s broke and we can’t fix it | A few thoughts on the death penalty | Bailout where it’s needed: public defender systems | It’s time to wake up (updated) [...] [...] A selection of Gideon posts on the death penalty in the US: Death penalty’s broke and we can’t fix it | A few thoughts on the death penalty | Bailout where it’s needed: public defender systems | It’s time to wake up (updated) [...]

]]> By: Bill Thompson http://apublicdefender.com/2009/12/27/its-time-to-wake-up/comment-page-1/#comment-52631 Bill Thompson Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:00:24 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2616#comment-52631 What? You're suggesting an evidence based approach to our system of retribution and rehabilitation? Our county probation department has just recently implemented a new risk assessment approach to better utilize the precious resources of our criminal justice system. Part of the underlying study suggests that recidivism rates are potentially 20% higher for defendants having contact with the waiting rooms of probation departments. As a result, the new system recognizes individuals for whom reporting probation supervision is actually a detriment to their efforts to live a clean life. (Sorry I threw that percentage in there, I just couldn't help myself.) The beauty of these economically strapped times is that it forces the system to become more efficient. In my experience, this tends to foster reforms which include diversion and alternative disposition programs. What? You’re suggesting an evidence based approach to our system of retribution and rehabilitation? Our county probation department has just recently implemented a new risk assessment approach to better utilize the precious resources of our criminal justice system. Part of the underlying study suggests that recidivism rates are potentially 20% higher for defendants having contact with the waiting rooms of probation departments. As a result, the new system recognizes individuals for whom reporting probation supervision is actually a detriment to their efforts to live a clean life. (Sorry I threw that percentage in there, I just couldn’t help myself.) The beauty of these economically strapped times is that it forces the system to become more efficient. In my experience, this tends to foster reforms which include diversion and alternative disposition programs.

]]> By: Dr. SunWolf http://apublicdefender.com/2009/12/27/its-time-to-wake-up/comment-page-1/#comment-52629 Dr. SunWolf Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:02:46 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2616#comment-52629 Ah, the Seductive Power of numbers--you've nailed the problem, Gideon. As a former public defender who dared to enter full-time graduate school after decades of trials, I quickly learned how academics loves statistics--but, more importantly, surviving 3 graduate courses in advanced statistics, how malleable all statistical tests are. Yee gads, the right "formula" can give you nearly any answer you hoped for. So, yes, let's give them new statistics. Now, as a legitimate [?] social scientist, I say let's give them EXPERIMENTS! Let's randomly assign for a year crimes-against-property defendants to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) jail time, (b) intense probation, or (c) job training and a live-able wage job. Who repeats? Ah, the Seductive Power of numbers–you’ve nailed the problem, Gideon.

As a former public defender who dared to enter full-time graduate school after decades of trials, I quickly learned how academics loves statistics–but, more importantly, surviving 3 graduate courses in advanced statistics, how malleable all statistical tests are. Yee gads, the right “formula” can give you nearly any answer you hoped for.

So, yes, let’s give them new statistics. Now, as a legitimate [?] social scientist, I say let’s give them EXPERIMENTS! Let’s randomly assign for a year crimes-against-property defendants to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) jail time, (b) intense probation, or (c) job training and a live-able wage job. Who repeats?

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