A personalized approach to probation saved Arizona $461 million
Arizona has saved millions of dollars by keeping people out of prison since it introduced a more rigorous adult probation program 10 years ago. With classes that help people on probation create...
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>> Sreenivasan: THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 4.5 MILLION AMERICANS ON PROBATION OR PAROLE. THAT'S NEARLY FOUR TIMES WHAT IT WAS IN 1980. BUT HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE SYSTEM AT KEEPING PEOPLE FROM REOFFENDING AND ENDING UP BACK BEHIND BARS? FOR THE PAST DECADE, ARIZONA'S ADULT PROBATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN QUIETLY CHANGING THE WAY IT DOES BUSINESS, ENGAGING WITH OFFENDERS IN SURPRISING WAYS. AND THE APPROACHES ARE YIELDING RESULTS. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S CHRISTOPHER BOOKER REPORTS. >> (\LAUGHS\) >> Reporter: WATCHING DOUGLAS MINKNER WITH HIS SEVEN-MONTH-OLD SON MAKES IT HARD TO PICTURE HIS PAST. >> ARE YOU READY FOR SOME MORE? I STARTED SMOKING HEAVY IN SEVENTH GRADE. I MEAN, EVERY SINGLE DAY, I WAS GOING TO CLAS...
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>> Sreenivasan: THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 4.5 MILLION AMERICANS ON PROBATION OR PAROLE. THAT'S NEARLY FOUR TIMES WHAT IT WAS IN 1980. BUT HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE SYSTEM AT KEEPING PEOPLE FROM REOFFENDING AND ENDING UP BACK BEHIND BARS? FOR THE PAST DECADE, ARIZONA'S ADULT PROBATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN QUIETLY CHANGING THE WAY IT DOES BUSINESS, ENGAGING WITH OFFENDERS IN SURPRISING WAYS. AND THE APPROACHES ARE YIELDING RESULTS. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S CHRISTOPHER BOOKER REPORTS. >> (\LAUGHS\) >> Reporter: WATCHING DOUGLAS MINKNER WITH HIS SEVEN-MONTH-OLD SON MAKES IT HARD TO PICTURE HIS PAST. >> ARE YOU READY FOR SOME MORE? I STARTED SMOKING HEAVY IN SEVENTH GRADE. I MEAN, EVERY SINGLE DAY, I WAS GOING TO CLAS...
