U.S.
Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
FS 000316 • SEPTEMBER 2009
Back on Track: A Problem-Solving MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Reentry Court The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
By Jacquelyn L. Rivers, BJA, and Lenore Anderson, San Francisco strongly supports the use of problem-
District Attorney’s Office solving and community courts and the
implementation of such strategies through
communitywide collaborations. Research
has demonstrated that, if implemented
Program Overview properly, the problem-solving approach4
In 2005, Kamala Harris, District Attorney for San Francisco, launched Back on Track can reduce crime, improve coordination
(BOT), a reentry initiative aimed at reducing recidivism among low-level drug-trafficking among justice agencies, enhance services
defendants. Combining strict accountability with real opportunities for self improvement, to victims, and increase public trust in
BOT reports that less than 10 percent of its graduates reoffend—a success achieved, the administration of justice—results that
moreover, at a fraction of the cost of traditional prosecution and jail time. are distinctly in line with BJA’s mission to
achieve safer communities. Bearing this
BOT participants are young adults, ages 18–30, who are facing charges for their in mind, BJA persists in its search to find
first felony offense1 for a low-level drug sale. At charging, prosecuting attorneys refer and showcase evidence-based programs
potential participants to BOT.2 Candidates attend a program orientation and participate that effectively implement problem-solving
in an intensive community service program for a 6-week probationary period. Only practices. Funded through a BJA grant to
defendants who complete 6 weeks of community service and decide to participate are Goodwill Industries of San Francisco and
eligible for enrollment. They plead guilty to charges and have their formal sentencing San Mateo and Marin Counties, Back on
deferred and, after enrolling, start a rigorous, 12–18 month program with goals set Track is one such program: a promising
by an individualized personal responsibility plan (PRP). The PRP mandates concrete approach for prosecutors nationwide who
achievements in employment, education, parenting, and child support and requires want to redirect low-level, nonaddicted
participants to perform up to 220 hours of community service. In addition, enrollees drug sellers away from incarceration and
are closely supervised. They meet three times per week with a BOT case manager and into productive, crime-free lives.
appear in BOT reentry court three times per month, at which a superior court judge and
prosecutor track their progress in meeting program requirements and completing the PRP.
To graduate from the program, participants must find employment, enroll in school full KEY POINTS
time, and comply with all the terms of their PRPs. At graduation, the court dismisses the
original case, leaving the graduate with a clean record.3 If an individual still enrolled in • Over a 2-year period, Back on Track
the program is charged with a new crime or fails to meet BOT requirements, he or she (BOT) has reduced recidivism among
is removed from BOT, and a judge can immediately impose a jail or prison sentence. its graduates to less than 10 percent. In
comparison, 53 percent of California’s
drug offenders return to prison or jail
1
In California, all drug sales cases are felonies rather than misdemeanors.
within 2 years of release.*
2
Eligibility requirements follow: first-time low-level offenders ages 18–30 with no history of guns or gangs, no sales or
possession at or near a school, and no prior violent history who are charged with sale of or possession of less than 5
• 100 percent of BOT graduates
grams of a controlled substance. complete up to 220 hours of
community service, working in such
3
At graduation, the defendant’s case is dismissed and the record sealed.
diverse settings as soup kitchens,
4
Criminal justice problem solving seeks to respond creatively and effectively to local crime and to the individual shelters, senior facilities, and
problems that often fuel crime. For an introductory fact sheet, see [Link]/_uploads/documents/
mortuaries.
Problem_Solving_Justice_in_the_US[1].pdf.
continued on p. 2
1 • Fact Sheet
KEY POINTS (cont.)
Participant Benefits
BOT provides its participants with a full range of opportunities:
• Paving the way for systemic change in
• While in the program, participants have access to:
corrections practice, BOT has:
o Challenged the assumption that o Job training and placement.
incarcerating low-level offenders o Union-based pre-apprenticeships.
is the best way to achieve public
safety. o Intensive case management.
o Been adopted by the National o Goodwill Industries’ paid Transitional Jobs Program.
District Attorneys Association as a o Educational opportunities, including GED (general educational development)
model program. classes and assistance with applications and financial aid at San Francisco
o Been replicated in Atlanta, is under City College and other colleges.
replication in Dallas, and is being o Interactive monthly life skills workshops.
considered for replication in other
o Parenting support.
communities.
o Mental health services.
*California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office of Research, Recidivism Data, 2004, 2005, o Other referral services as needed.
2006. See [Link]/Reports_Research/
Offender_Information_Services_Branch/Offender_ • Upon successful completion of the program, graduates:
Information_Reports.html.
o Have their case dismissed.
o Can have their arrest record sealed.
Partners
BOT brings essential organizations together to link supervision and accountability
with opportunity. Partners include:
• San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
• San Francisco Superior Court.
• Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties, and other
key community-based services.
• Other community agencies.
• The business and labor communities.
Cost Savings
BOT costs approximately $5,000 per participant, compared with $10,000 to
adjudicate a case and nearly $50,000 per year to house a low-level offender in
prison or jail.
CONTACT US
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531
Phone: 202–616–6500
Toll-free: 1–866–859–2687
E-mail: AskBJA@[Link]
Web site: [Link]/BJA
2 • Fact Sheet
