Resolution in Support of H.O.P.E. Exposed

The Resolution in Support of H.O.P.E. was adopted by ALEC's Public Safety and Elections Task Force at the Annual Meeting on August 7, 2010, approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on September 19, 2010. According to ALEC.org, the Resolution was re-approved by the Board of Directors on September 19, 2010, any language removed from the original is indicated with strikethrough text, additions are given in bold. (Accessed on 10/21/2015).

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

This Resolution recognizes the progress Hawaii’s H.O.P.E. program has exhibited in lowering the crime rate amongst probationers. The resolution also supports the program and its success and aims to replicate its results in other states.

Resolution

Whereas, Hawaii’s Circuit Judge Steve Alm started the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (H.O.P.E.) program in 2004 in an effort to reduce drug use and crime among those probationers most at risk to commit violations; and

WHEREAS, community supervision programs are a crucial area within the American criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, the number of adults on probation is rising: in 2008 that figure was almost 4.3 million, 500,000 more than in 2000; in 2012 was 4,781,300;[1] and

Whereas, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) [Insert State Here] is committed to developing effective criminal justice policies that create safe communities for citizens as well as strong state budgets; and

Whereas, the current probation system has proven to be ineffective in that nearly 40% of probationers across the nation fail to successfully complete probation; and

Whereas, spending on corrections has been a leading factor in rising state budgets for 15 years; and

Whereas, by notifying probationers that violations will be dealt with swiftly and surely, by conducting frequent random drug tests, issuing swift and certain sanctions for every violation, and by administering drug treatments to those who need it, the H.O.P.E. program has experienced unprecedented success; and

Whereas, studies have shown H.O.P.E. probationers to be 53% less likely to have their probation revoked, and 61% less likely to miss appointments with probation officers; and

Whereas, H.O.P.E. probationers have proven to be 72% less likely to use drugs, and 55% less likely to be arrested for a new crime;

Therefore Be It Resolved that ALEC [Insert State Here] supports the H.O.P.E. program and its success, and recommends that actions be taken which will replicate its remarkable results in other jurisdictions.

Adopted by the Public Safety and Elections Task Force at the Annual Meeting, August 7, 2010.

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors, September 19, 2010.

Reapproved by the ALEC Board of Directors July 1, 2014.