Transcript New Orleans Power Point Presentation on Diversion, National

New Orleans Diversion
Then and Now
Leon A. Cannizzaro Jr.
Orleans Parish District Attorney
Andree Mattix M.Ed.,L.P.C. ,L.M.F.T.
Director of Social Services
Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office
A History of Diversion in
New Orleans
• 1992- diversion program begins with 1st
time offenders arrested for possession of
marijuana• 2003-2007 -diversion pre and post Katrina
• The need for change
• 2009 – current diversion programming
begins
Where We Were
In 2008 participants totaled 300
Where We Are
Current population 940
Both Past and Present
Voluntary Participation
• Past- Primarily 1st Offense Drug ChargesPossession of Marijuana,Cocaine and
Heroin
• CurrentNon-violent felony charges
Guns with drugs and distribution excluded
Primarily 1st and 2nd time offenders
Tracks 1 and 2
Considerations
• Past- 1st offenders only with financial means to
pay fee
• Current
Prior arrests and convictions
Weapons only offenses
Defendants charged with PWIT
Property crimes – Track 1
• Restitution
History of prior community supervision
Motivation and desire to change
Policy and Procedures
• Past- Originally at inception professionals in
substance abuse – later staff credentials varied
widely
 Cases were dismissed upon acceptance
 2003-2008 office visits and client contact were not
required except during intake and exit
 Fees much higher
• Current
 Cases nolle prosequi upon acceptance
 During the assessment phase office visits are required
1x per week for the first 8-12 weeks.
 $200 fee
Juvenile Diversion
Past- mimicked adult program
CurrentDifferent types of crimes
Community Mentors
Turning Point -Talking Circles
Community Speakers
Database
• Past – no computer database
• CurrentDatabase
G-Safe
Disaster Plans
Office
Individual
Challenges
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Costs of Drug testing for Track 2
Lack of available treatment options
Incentives/Sanctions
Language barriers
Success
• Recidivism
• Non- Profit Partnerships
• Exit Interview
“ The program opened my eyes and gave me another chance at life”
“My counselor really showed interest in my well-being, she helped me
help myself”
“The program helped me to get clean/sober it was the motivator to start
the process”
“The program helped me to stay away from negative people and
troublemakers”
“ I found out I can enjoy life without using.”
Contact Information
Andree Mattix
[email protected]
504-822-2414