PRESS RELEASE

For Release On:

October 29, 2004

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150

Ellen Burns (718) 273-1696
Director, SITC

District Attorney Donovan Attends Graduation Ceremony For Staten Island Treatment Court

***Program Offers Alternative to Incarceration for Substance Abusers ***

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today attended the graduation ceremony for Staten Island Treatment Court (SITC), held at Richmond County Criminal Court in Stapleton. The ceremony honored twenty-seven individuals who completed a program designed to serve as an alternative to incarceration for drug-abusing felony and misdemeanor offenders.

“This program is really an example of law enforcement, the courts, and social services working together to prevent drug-related crime, and helping people rehabilitate themselves in the process,” stated District Attorney Donovan. “Everyone involved must be commended for their commitment to this outstanding program.”

SITC opened in March 2002 following a lengthy planning process that began in 1999. The program is a collaborative effort between the Court system, the Richmond County District Attorney’s office, Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC), the defense bar, and community- based treatment providers.

Since its inception, 108 participants have been accepted into SITC. (99 felony pleas and 9 misdemeanor pleas) Of the 31 individuals who have completed the program, only 4 have been

arrested as recidivists. Currently, there are 69 active participants in the program while 10 additional defendants are pending entrance into the program.

The program is presided over by Judge Alan J. Meyer and is operated by its Director, Ellen Burns and Senior Case Manager Debra Donovan. Assistant District Attorney Vincent Antonucci represents the Richmond County District Attorney in SITC.

Participants are screened into the process following their arrest on designated drug charges. The two step screening process evaluates each participant for his/her “paper eligibility” and clinical eligibility. Prior to participating, a defendant will be required to plead guilty to the felony charge; while the Court will defer sentence while the defendant participates in treatment. At the completion of the program, the Court will allow the defendant to withdraw their plea and dismiss the charges. A failure to complete the program will result in a sentence of incarceration, typically one year in jail.

While in the program, participants are held accountable for any infractions. SITC uses a system of interim, graduated schedule of incentives and sanctions to encourage compliance. Sanctions for these infractions include increased weekly treatment hours, essay writing, and increased court appearances. More serious infractions include missed court appearances and absence from a treatment program without permission, which can result in jail time.