Judge Gill Addresses Rotary
May 23, 2017
By: Stephen Kent
Judge Harry Gill
The Honorable Harry P. Gill, 18th Circuit Court,
spoke about adult drug treatment court, what happens there, and why we think drug courts work. He talked about the theory behind drug court best practices, and why he believes those practices should be incorporated into the criminal justice system at large.
The American legal system "spends a lot of resources putting people in prison who are really mentally ill, addicted to drugs, or both." Treatment Court is a way to try to deal with those people within the community. Its goal is to change the way people think. It's an evidence-based curriculum built on programs that have proved they can accomplish just. It is also considered by many to be experimental.
Offenders are put in a program that builds a relationship with the judge. There is a formal, but caring biweekly interaction with the judge to monitor the progress. Treatment includes group and individual therapy twice a week plus a support group. Mental therapy is provided as needed.
The program includes supervision including twice-weekly meetings with a case manager and probation officer as well as random testing thirteen times a month to monitor progress.
A judge is in charge of this program, but he or she relies on a treatment committee including therapists, defense lawyers, police, the prosecutor, case manager, and probation officer. It is a multi-discipline program where all points of view come into play.
The legal system uses a number of criteria to determine the potential for an individual to commit crimes. Treatment court matches the level supervision and programs to the likelihood of re-offense. It tries to not mix high-risk and low-risk people. Addiction to drugs is the target group for Treatment Court.
Treatment Court has been shown to work for many offenders who qualify for the program. It makes sense in an environment of a high cost of incarceration. It is however based on three rules: show up, try, and be honest.
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cindy Chadwick spoke about the upcoming Golf Scramble. Raffle tickets are now on sale. Cindy noted that these tickets and sponsorships are where the club makes money for this fundraiser. The entrance fees paid by golfers just cover the costs. Tickets are on sale now.
Members are encouraged to sell 10 tickets ($5 each or $20 for 5 tickets). You may also buy the tickets yourself as a donation to the club. These tickets and the sponsors are the primary sources for fundraising on this project.
Cindy also extended thanks to all of the sponsors. Special thanks to
Wildfire Credit Union, which provides the prizes. Cindy noted that this year's "big prize" is going to be an I-Pad rather than the traditional smart-TV!
Remember the
CLUB PICNIC on 1 pm to 4 pm, Saturday, June 10 at the Discovery Preserve on Euclid. There will be food and activities for the entire family. Put it on your calendar NOW.
The hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and lemonade will be provided, but there are opportunities to bring a dish to pass.
Check with Brenda Scramlin if you'd like to help with that.
Be sure to bring your own chair.
Congratulations to
Chuck Cusick who was named a
Rotary Hero by the district. Chuck's wife
Nancy was selected to receive the district's "Spouse Service Award". Governor Cheryl Peterson will attend an upcoming club meeting to present this award in person.
New member
Pete Shannon brings his experience from other Rotary clubs to our club as he takes on the upcoming Membership Drive. A committee is being formed and held it's first brain-storming meeting last Tuesday.
Current and past
DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 6: OFF SITE Meeting -
At the Delta College Planetarium.
June 10 - Saturday: Club Social PICNIC. 1 pm to 4 pm, Discovery Preserve on Euclid Avenue. Food and activities for the entire family! BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR.
June 10-14: Rotary International Convention - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
www.RotaryConvention2017.org
OR
www.RIConvention.org
Dee Dee Wacksman, District Chair
June 19 - Monday: Golf Outing
July 4 - NO MEETING. Enjoy the 4th
July 25 - July 26, 2017
District 6310 to Tour One Rotary Center.
Group to take Amtrak train to Chicago.
October 14, 2017 - ZOMBIE RUN Bigelow Park.
November 7, 2017 - Vocational Day
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
May 30, 2017 - 2-1-1 Northeast Michigan.
Sara Kyle will talk about the free, easy to remember number that connects people in need with people who can help - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
June 6, 2017 - Eric Jylha shares stories of Normandy
and his trip to France.
June 20, 2017 - Bay City Players celebrates 100 years!
Kathy Pawloski will present the program.
June 27, 2017 - Team Paws Rocks Kind with Karrie Marciniak.
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
Rotary Bay City on Facebook!
Click on the Blue Facebook to visit us there.
Remember! Check attendance sheets at the front desk.
LINKS