Realignment, rehabilitation and reintegration and reform in Humboldt County

This research examined the high recidivism rate among substance use and reoccurring criminal behavior within Humboldt County. The participants were current AB 109 clients under county supervision or in inpatient substance abuse treatment. A total of 38 participants in Humboldt County were interviewed. This research was conducted through the use of a convenience sample, or snowball method, in order to protect the anonymity, confidentiality and responses for each individual volunteer. The aim of this study was to estimate the subject's perceptions and ideology of participants through specific survey questions in order to explore possible correlations between the responses to the research questionnaire. Previous research on this topic is minimal, and points to high rates of recidivism, and trends such as co-occurring mental illness. This study sought to examine specific barriers, and demographical correlations among the subjects of this survey. This community based project was made possible by the County of Humboldt and Mr. Bill Damiano, Chief Probation Officer. My vision for this project was to gather and synthesize data of specialized populations within Humboldt County, identify demographic data, establish both quantifiable and qualitative findings to support the successful rehabilitation of clients, and to influence reform based on needs identified by the participants within the criminal justice system and/or substance abuse treatment. My projects serves to facilitate a larger community collaboration amongst several agencies to promote effective rehabilitation and reform, and to establish the best possible curriculum, social services and standard operating procedures for Humboldt's AB 109 population. A review of key literature will discuss the various ways in which other counties in California have approached rehabilitation, and extract principle ideologies and concepts from various sources of contemporary research. This study justifies the collaborative and positive work of Humboldt County probation since the initiation of AB 109 legislation. The purpose was not to criticize or deconstruct the current standard operating procedures; rather it was designed to bring credence to the successes thus far that the current administration endorses. The responses from participants describe positive encounters and support from both correctional and substance abuse counselors. The activities and outcomes of this assessment are clearly synthesized within the summary of this manuscript.