Chapter 1

A case example: A community in search of answers

Serving over a million citizens across four counties and numerous courthouses is one of many challenges facing a judicial district in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

With over 11,000 people under supervision, but fewer than 128 Probation Department staff members, the district is experiencing a tremendous strain on its resources. Caseloads per officer often climb to
150 clients per month, compared to the American Probation and Parole Association’s target of 60.

Ensuring supervision officer safety is another challenge for the district. They are often required to meet their clients after dark, or in high-crime areas, to conduct in-home visits. And in many cases, they have to do so when the situation inside the home is unknown—or already known to be potentially unsafe.

With recidivism rates as high as 60% for some offense types, the district’s four counties also contend with overcrowded jail facilities, incurring costs of up to $30,000 per inmate, per year.

Recidivism is another long-term challenge. Without proper supervision and reliable access to rehabilitative services—especially when dealing with clients involved in opioid/drug-related offenses—clients are prone to the dangers of relapse, homelessness, and health care decline, thus bringing them back into the district court system.

A nationwide drug crisis

Unfortunately, the growing addiction to both natural and synthetic opioids, along with other street drugs, has been skyrocketing across the nation in the last decade.

Many incarcerated persons reentering society also have an identified substance abuse or mental health issue. This makes them more susceptible to relapse and homelessness upon release, continuing the cycle of recidivism.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29% of patients prescribed opioids for pain relief are now misusing them. Even worse, over 47,000 deaths occurred in 2018 in the U.S. alone from the drug’s abuse.

For citizens living in the Rocky Mountain region, state and local governments are struggling to deal with the issue. And a lack of resources is contributing to recidivism and relapse, placing additional strain on overburdened staff members and services.

1. What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic?, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019.