NCJ Number
189640
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 65 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 9-13
Date Published
June 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the Homeless Release Project (HRP) in San Francisco, a program that offers pretrial supervision to homeless persons charged with misdemeanors and arrested on bench warrants.
Abstract
HRP is modeled on enhanced partnerships between judicial administrators and local providers as an effective method for aiding clients' transition back to their communities. HRP seeks to remedy the alienation defendants face from community and family networks by addressing chronic homelessness and concurring court appearances through intensive case management. As a pretrial release program, HRP plays an important role in reducing the jail population while ensuring compliance with court mandates; and as a model of community corrections, HRP monitors homeless clients in the community through supervision and individualized care. Once a charged homeless person is identified, a staff member conducts a preliminary needs assessment and determines the person's existing relationships with community providers and collects information on where the homeless person can be found in the community. This preliminary data is then submitted to the commissioner for a jail release recommendation and participation in the HRP program. If the release is approved, staff members arrange for temporary housing, possibly including a hotel voucher. The HRP case manager is then notified of the new client and the date of the initial court appearance. HRP staff accompany clients to all court dates and attempt to gain their active participation in case processing. Immediately following the first court date, the case manager conducts a more thorough needs assessment, collaborating with the client on designing a care plan that includes both short-term and long-term goals, such as obtaining temporary/permanent housing, entering a substance abuse program, or accessing medical treatment. An initial study that compared HRP graduates from the program's first year with a representative comparison group showed that HRP participants were half as likely to be rearrested. 1 figure and 13 references