Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2011-12-01, Law Designed to Help Strengthen Probation System and Manage State's Prison Population Going Into Effect

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 Dec. 1, 2011 Contact: Chris Mackey Office: (919) 733-5612 Law Designed to Help Strengthen Probation System and Manage State’s Prison Population Going into Effect RALEIGH- Today several provisions of a new law took effect to strengthen the state’s probation and parole system, allowing the state to better control the prison population and reduce repeat offenders. The provisions are part of the Justice Reinvestment Act, the most significant change to North Carolina's sentencing laws in 17 years. The new law is the result of legislative efforts that Gov. Bev Perdue launched in early 2009, when she made strengthening the state’s criminal justice policies a priority. One of her first efforts resulted in a legislative package, passed with the help of legislative leaders that spring, that gave probation officers limited access to juvenile records providing crucial information to aid determining supervision strategies for offenders. “Nothing that government does is more important than public safety,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our probation and parole officers need as many tools as possible to keep probationers from ever posing a threat to our citizens. This law, passed with the legislature’s help, is a big step toward doing that.” “This historic legislation provides for new and improved probation and parole strategies,” said Correction Secretary Alvin Keller. “By balancing supervision levels and treatment needs, we can create better outcomes for probationers.” The new law will: Give probation/parole officers more authority over offenders.