The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee heard public comment and fielded questions Monday on a bill intended to make one hundred and twenty-day treatment programs for people who violate their probation more effective. The bill would place people in one of two treatment programs, the first to address criminal behaviors and a second that addresses substance abuse. Senator Bill White of Joplin is the bill’s sponsor. He says that 120-day programs are not producing positive long-term results for participants, largely because they aren’t receiving the full 120 days of treatment. Adam Albach is a legislative liaison for the Department of Corrections. He supports the bill.
Spokespersons for the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Missouri Catholic Conference also testified in support of the bill. The committee has not yet scheduled a vote.