Sen. Caleb Rowden’s Column – April 6, 2018

April 6, 2018

Senator Caleb Rowden’s Column for the Week of April 2, 2018

As a state senator, I’m always looking for opportunities to help move Missouri ahead of other states. I’m passionate about serving my community, helping small businesses find success and improving education at all levels. In order for our communities to thrive, we must take a serious look at our criminal justice system.

Missouri jails have seen a 50 percent population increase since 2010. The rate of violent crimes is also increasing. The female prison population in Missouri has grown more than any other state in the nation over the last several years, and nearly half of people admitted to prison in Missouri are admitted due to a revocation from supervision. Despite these concerning facts, there are opportunities out there that can change these patterns and improve the practices of our criminal justice system

For nearly a year, the Missouri State Justice Reinvestment Task Force has worked with stakeholders in the criminal justice system and representatives from all three branches of government to come up with a proposal to reform Missouri’s criminal justice system. As a member of the Missouri State Justice Reinvestment Task Force, we looked at how we can improve three factors:

• Better assessment and triage of resources to people at the highest risk;
• Strengthening community-based services; and
• Better structuring of parole decision making.

Senate Bill 966, approved this week in the Missouri Senate, is the result of work done by the task force. It is an effort to improve multiple facets of the state’s criminal justice system and increase public safety.

We need to not only hold criminals accountable, but we also need to ensure they receive the right intervention so they are less likely to reoffend. Studies show the most effective interventions are comprehensive, individualized and community-based. Senate Bill 966 allows the Department of Corrections to coordinate with the Department of Mental Health to establish a community behavioral health program to provide community-based services. The Department of Corrections will also develop and utilize a streamlined risk/need assessment tool to evaluate offenders and match them with appropriate services.

Now that SB 966 has been approved by the Senate, it moves to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration.

I am here to serve you, and my office door is always open to your questions, concerns and suggestions. You can reach my staff at 573-751-3931, and you can visit www.senate.mo.gov/rowden for an array of legislative and constituent resources.