D.A. Jackie Lacey has spent most of her professional life as a prosecutor until December 2012 when she was sworn in as the Los Angeles District Attorney, in charge of 1000 lawyers, 300 investigators and 800 staff.  She is the first African American in the DA office, the largest D.A. office in the nation.

She expressed the frustration experienced during her career and by her co-workers.  “We see the same people in and out of prison” She said ” Its like the movie Groundhog Day where the same day is experienced over and over.”

Low level offenders get incarceration. 64% return within 3 years, most within 6 months. Sadly it is the highest recidivism rate in the nation and the U.S. has more folks in prison than anywhere else in the world.

The frustration sparked the idea to create “Alternative Sentencing courts”.  In 2009 developed the first  group was established,  a residential program for female substance abusers.  This new program offered a 2nd chance  to the offenders, leveraged constructive relationships and the individuals were held accountable by Judges in the “Women’s Re-entry Court”.  Though there was much initial criticism and fear it would not succeed, it saved $10 million in incarceration costs in first year.

In 2010 for returning veterans, many who became addicts while in or after their service and who were law abiding before the military an “L.A. County Veteran’s Court” was established.   It directed offenders to residential programs on the V.A. campus. The 18 month long  program has recurrence rate of only 20%.

Of the incarcerated population 20% are mentally ill. L.A. county employs 38 full time psychiatrists and 300 employees to attend to the mentally ill offenders.   Psych.  wards cost three times  more than regular incarceration.

D.A. Lacy shared the story of  Miriam, a university graduate but with mental illness.   She felt someone was “after her” there were “demons” and was eventually arrested.  In jail she was  stabilized and released after but after medication wore off there were more incidents.  D.A. Lacey said the sad part is the felony on Miriam’s record but the good part is that probation can be used to make sure the offender stays on medication and sticks with treatment over the long term.

Mental illness is a greater risk and is stigmatized by society.  Alternatives for the mentally are also being established.

D.A. Lacey summarized her presentation by declaring that thought these alternative programs save money, more importantly its the “right thing to do.”