Gov. Deal Praises Douglas Accountability Courts During Visit

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — About 100 residents gathered to see Governor Nathan Deal recognize and honor Douglas County’s accountability courts Wednesday night during the Criminal Justice Reform Summit at Douglas County High School. Deal has pushed for wide-ranging criminal justice reforms since he came to office in 2011 and held the Douglas County programs as the leaders in the State of Georgia.

The Criminal Justice Reform Summit was hosted by Douglas County Solicitor-General Matthew Krull who is also the president, Georgia Association of Solicitors-General. Krull noted that the leadership of Deal had resulted in the change from a reactive, punishment-focused system that saw few results and massive amounts of recidivism to a proactive one that focuses on accountability, treatment and real change.

Deal was recently in Washington, D.C., to speak at a forum on these alternative courts where the State was recognized as the national leader in this effort. On Wednesday night, he applauded Krull, the District Attorney and local judges for being State leaders, citing such innovations as the Partial Payment Option Program, Amnesty Program, ReadingPAWS, Fasttrack, and diversion programs as being creative and effective.

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When Deal took office in 2011, Georgia was the 10th largest state in the nation in population; it is now the 8th largest. Its prison population was projected to vastly increase and State prisoners were often housed in local jails, including the Douglas County Jail. With criminal justice reform as a major effort of his administration, the prison population in Georgia is now 8,000 less than had been predicted, and no State prisoners are now housed in any local jail, saving taxpayers an estimated $25 million per year. Overall, the prison population in Georgia is down 20 percent since 2011 and is at its lowest level since 1987.

Deal noted that there is now a 29.7 percent reduction in the black men prison population and a 38.2 percent reduction in the black women prison population due to the accountability courts. He said prison is the rightful place for violent criminals but that non-violent criminals might be able to be helped.

Due to the 149 accountability courts throughout the State, Deal said that actual needs of non-violent offenders are being addressed - education, counseling, job training and encouragement - and that participants are being held accountable for their actions, some for the first time. The accountability courts are dealing with the causes of the crimes, such as alcohol, drugs and abuse issues, so that these are addressed and resolved and the program participants can have a successful re-entry into society. He said that it takes courage to do the right thing and that the staffs of the accountability courts are to be praised and supported for taking on these tasks which build a better community.

Deal specifically pointed to Krull for his courage and leadership, saying he had recently appointed Krull to the State Board of Education since education and the accountability courts programs have a direct relationship that needed coordination and cooperation.

Of those who participate in the accountability courts, there is only a 2 percent recidivism rate. Of those who do not participate, there is a 33 percent return rate to prison for another crime for adults and a 67 percent return rate for children and teens.

During his drive to Douglas County, Deal said that he received a telephone call from President Donald Trump, who was aboard Air Force One. Trump offered any assistance that Deal and the State needed to handle the effects of Hurricane Michael. He then asked where the governor was traveling, and he responded to Douglas County, our leader in the accountability courts that he spoke about when recently in Washington. Trump said to tell Douglas County how proud he was of their criminal justice reforms.

Deal then had the opportunity to hear the personal testimony of Simone Crane, a recovering meth addict who is a graduate of the Douglas County Accountability DUI/Drug Court. Crane told her story of being an addict for 37 years after being molested, raped and left to die at the age of 13. She survived and became a functioning adult addict. In 2015, her daughter dying at the age of 30 sent her into more serious/needle drug use, and she was arrested which she said saved her life. Going through the Douglas County DUI/Drug Court, she said that she has learned how to escape her self-imposed drug prison and to build a solid foundation. She has now earned her GED and is taking college courses to become a drug program counselor. She thanked the staff of both courts for believing in her when all she could see was trash. She has been clean and drug-free for three years.

Krull and the Douglas County Economic Development Authority announced a new partnership called Careers, Not Convictions Program which is designed to guide those charged with a crime by the Solicitor-General’s Office into a career and not a conviction. Through this innovative collaboration, participants will receive free training programs, life skills coaching, and job placement, giving them a chance to be successful.

Superior Court Judge Beau McClain thanked the Governor for his leadership and support of the accountability court programs and wished him well in his upcoming retirement.

Matthew Saffo ended the program saying that human life is valuable and that value should not be raised or lowered according to our personal assessment. He stated that we should not marginalize each other but live fully and in a manner where excellence wins out in our actions, thoughts and heart.

Rev. Dr. Edwin Ford, Pastor, Crossroads for Life Ministries welcomed the audience and asked the Invocation. The Douglas County High School Army JROTC Color Guard presented the Colors and the National Anthem was performed by the Douglas County High School Fa-Side a cappella chorus.

Photos courtesy Douglas County