By Victoria Wicks
The Public Safety Improvement Act has passed through the full Senate and now is headed for the House. This is the package of legislation putting into effect the Criminal Justice Initiative designed to alleviate prison populations, saving the state millions of dollars while reducing the crime rate.
Governor Dennis Daugaard and Chief Justice David Gilbertson announced the initiative last summer and appointed a work group to study how to put the initiative into practice.
Legislators, attorneys, judges, counselors, and other stakeholders met during summer and fall months, and in November released a final report giving recommendations. Included in those proposed changes are expanded drug, alcohol, and veterans’ courts; intensive supervision; and rehabilitation for addicts.
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