On an overcast May afternoon,the sun beamed down briefly on the Federal Courthouse in New Haven, CT. In Judge Janet Bond Arterton’s courtroom, the mood, too, was bright. Standing among family, friends, judges and federal court employees was Christopher Beauton, former alcohol and substance abuser, now the first graduate of the New Haven Federal Support Court Program.
In an effort to slam the revolving door that seemingly spins convicted felons from prison to home, and than back again, the federal government has begun a series of programs under the auspices of the Court. Support Court is an intense, year-long program that aids formerly incarcerated individuals who are on probation, or supervised release, and are in danger of being sent back to prison for violating the terms of their release.
The Support Court program is not open to everyone. Those with a history of arson, sexual offenses, serious medical or mental health issues, or serious or violent crimes within the past ten years are excluded. Those accepted into the program are required to have a documented history of substance abuse, and be deemed to benefit by receiving drug counseling, education and monitoring. The participants must be a residents of Connecticut, and also under the jurisdiction of the state. The decision to participate is voluntary, although probation officers may strongly recommend their clients enter the program. After an initial screening process, developed and implemented by Texas Christian University, the client’s pre-sentence investigation report, as well as other pertinent documents, are reviewed to ascertain that the client meets all eligibility requirements. The actual goals of the Support Court Program are simple: Remain clean and sober, and become a law-abiding, responsible, and productive citizen through employment and making correct choices in life.
Once selected, the participant begins the program which is comprised of four phases. The first phase lasts between one and two months, and includes such mandates as being honest, making weekly court appearances, calling in, at least two drug tests a week. It also includes obtaining necessary documents such as a state ID, and state medical insurance. The participant must also write what his or her goals are.
Honesty is a major component of the next three phases, as are urine tests, visits and call ins. Phase II, which lasts three months, requires the participant to follow the same rules as in phase one, but reduces urine tests, call ins and visits. The participant must appear weekly in Court. Obtaining job readiness and pursuing education, whether it be a GED or higher education, is mandated. Before a participant moves into phase III, he or she must be drug or alcohol free for 60 days.
Also lasting three months, Phase III involves appearing in Court bi-weekly, obtaining or maintaining a job, or being involved in community service. Participation in “pro-social” activities, as well as being a responsible parent, for those to whom this criteria applies, are also Phase III requirements. When a participant has 90 days of sobriety, and also a full-time job, or full-time educational program, advancement to Phase IV can proceed.
Phase IV entails making an appearance in Support Court once a month. Once again, urine tests and visits are diminished. A participant must continue with pro-social activities. A transition plan must be created, and a written life plan submitted. A participant must also have five months of clean urines. Those who were ordered to complete a lengthy residential drug treatment program may be able to accelerate through the Support Court phases. Failure to complete the four phases may result in the revocation of supervised release.
Chris Beauton admits that the program is rigorous, and that participants need the will to succeed if they are going to complete it. Dressed in black pants, a black shirt and a white, black and grey striped tie, Beauton could easily be mistaken for a lawyer, or prosecutor, instead of someone who admits Support Court saved his life. After Judge Arterton, and his sentencing Judge Stefan R. Underhill praised him for success, and after he thanking the Deputy U.S. Attorney Patrick Norton for sending him back to prison, Beauton also thanked his attorney, probation officer and, especially his family, for standing by him.
Those who successfully complete all four phases of Support Court are eligible to have one year of probation lopped off their sentence. Judge Underhill read a proclamation stating he did exactly that for Beauton. Beauton made it very clear that the year taken off his term of probation wasn’t the prize, but that his ability to grow into a responsible, sober person was.
As a half-dozen current participants of Support Court looked on, Judge Arterton presented Beaumont with several special gifts which included a Certificate of Completion, a framed photo taken on the day he obtained one year of sobriety, and two books. She also gave him homework. “Stay successful, stay sober, and stay in touch.”
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