Jail Study Gives Rationale for Alternatives

Stating that "rehabilitation of most offenders can occur outside of incarceration with far greater potential for success," a recent criminal justice system and jail population management assessment in Dane County (Madison, WI) called for an expanded use of alternatives to incarceration.

The study cited the Huber Work Release Program as one that "could be greatly expanded by allowing more serious non-dangerous offenders to be assigned to the program," given "support... classification outcomes, and national best practices directions."

Community service in lieu of a payment of a fine was also among the recommendations, noting "it is a cornerstone of successful 'restorative justice' programs for adults as well as juvenile offenders." *

*Source: Institute for Law and Policy Planning - www.ilpp.org

Professional Opportunities

Join the growing ranks of APA Professional Consultants. We have contractual opportunities for retired Probation and Parole agents as well as for active psychologists interested in dealing with justice situations.

We operate both in State and Federal courts and provide pre-sentencing planning documents and services to clients facing possible incarceration.

This is an opportunity for you to do the kind of work for which you were trained in a professional setting under the supervision of experienced corrections professionals. We prefer those professionals who are retired from State or Federal service but are not ready to retire from an active career in the Criminal Justice System.

Use our "Contact Us" E-mail form to get the conversation started today.

APA Added to Wisconsin Public Defender Experts List

The Wisconsin State Public Defender expert database available to the private bar, now includes APA.

MADISON, WI - December 17, 2007 -- Alternative Planning Associates (APA) has been added to the state public defender's list of specialized experts providing presentence investigation reports and alternative to incarceration plans. The announcement was made today by Allyn R. Sielaff, APA president and a past head of corrections in Wisconsin. A description of the Wisconsin Public Defender Expert Database may be found on their website at www.wisspd.org/html/ExpertsFAQ.asp.

"The corps of criminal justice experts we are making available," Sielaff said, "includes retired probation and parole agents with up to 30 years experience, Ph.D. forensic psychologists, and senior former corrections officials."

He went on to say that, "An informal survey we've done among judges and attorneys has pointed us in directions that help us improve upon existing services. As a result, one of our goals is to complete PSIs normally within ten days. Other goals relate to the need for higher quality investigations and provision of new client oriented approaches in alternative planning."

Donn Gurney, APA vice president, added, "Most important are identifying and providing specific services in our recommendations that are designed to give the offender the support needed to fulfill the conditions of his/her sentence successfully. While our initial emphasis has been with white-collar offenders, we feel that being in the public defender expert database widens our abilities to expand our services even further."

About Alternative Planning Associates
Alternative Planning Associates LLC is designed to provide professional assistance in developing comprehensive alternative plans when, despite all legal efforts, clients become involved in a sentencing situation. APA utilizes experienced corrections professionals to interview clients to do a comprehensive pre-sentence investigation. The client's needs are assessed, in some cases by a forensic psychologist, and specific resources are matched to them with a firm commitment for delivery from the provider.

Contact:

Allyn R. Sielaff, President
(608) 825-6025
E-mail Contact