DPA Social Worker Program: alternative sentencing social workers offer courts developed sentencing options

DPA social workers develop and present evidence-based individualized alternative sentencing plans to the court as options to incarceration. Persons who would normally be jailed or imprisoned instead serve their sentence in treatment in the community with more effective and less costly outcomes. These alternatives to incarceration decrease jail and prison costs and recidivism. They advance a more efficient and effective justice system. DPA represents the vast majority of criminal defendants in the state and is particularly well-suited to lead a collaborative effort to create plans for juveniles and offenders with substance abuse and mental illness.

DPA social workers do what others cannot do

• Use motivational interviewing within the attorney-client privilege, increasing changed client behavior
• Improve coordination and cooperation among criminal justice agencies and treatment providers
• Intervene early for more efficient resolution
• Understand substance abuse, mental illness and the undeveloped minds of juveniles

Judges and prosecutors support this program because

• Sentencing options are provided
• Plans address underlying causes of the criminal behavior
• Clients’ motivation for compliance with treatment plans increases

Jail and prison costs are saved

Each social worker saves counties and the state $100,000+ jail and prison costs according to an independent study done by  University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work.
See, http://dpa.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/369E42F6-ECFF-4E51-ACC6-99F609A511D3/0/SW_Pilot_Report.pdf

A presentation on alternative sentencing social workers can be viewed by clicking on: Alternative Sentencing Social Worker  Click Here to view the: Alternative Sentencing Video. Click here to view the One-Page Social Worker Overview.