Hinds County Youth Court Judge Bill Skinner blasted the state for cutbacks in funding for drug courts in an address to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors Monday. The board awarded $50,000 to the Hinds County Youth Drug Court to keep it operating for the rest of the fiscal year.
The state cut funding to youth drug courts by 58%. Judge Skinner said the annual budget for the youth drug court is $260,000. He said the state will only provide $76,000 next year and asked the supervisors to fund the difference. Judge Skinner said the Justice Court Drug Court has been eliminated due to budget cuts. Judge Skinner said if the funding is not restored, the drug court will probably close.
Judge Skinner asked Governor Phil Bryant to call a special session to provide more funding to drug courts in Mississippi. Judge Skinner stated in a letter (posted below) there are 44 participants now in the Hinds County program. There have been 126 participants since the program began in 2007. 57 participants graduated.
Drug courts around the state are facing similar problems. The Vicksburg Post reported last week:
"The Drug Court Advisory Committee voted to cut overall funding by 42 percent, or almost $3.3 million, for the year that begins July 1, said Kevin Lackey, director of the state Administrative Office of Courts.
Funding for felony drug courts for adults will be cut 25 percent to $3.16 million. Juvenile and family drug courts will be cut 58 percent to $1.23 million. The state will cut all of the $375,000 it sent last year to misdemeanor-level drug courts operated by cities and counties.
People assigned to drug court undergo treatment and counseling, combined with frequent court appearances. Those who complete the program can see charges dismissed or sentences and fines reduced.
“We’ve had our funding cut before,” said Maryam Husband, who administrates the program in Warren County out of Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick’s office. “Where it’ll probably affect us is in our treatment costs and how many clients we take in. We take in four per month, but we’re probably not going to be able to take in any more clients than that.”
Outside of the grant, Warren County pays the drug court administrator’s salary and benefits and covers vehicle expenses, including fuel and repairs.
Lackey said some courts might get local funds to make up the difference.
He said a fund that pays for drug courts is running out money. The state assesses a $10 fee on criminal convictions, including traffic tickets. The charge brings in about $4 million a year, which was plenty of money when the state first started rolling out drug courts, and a large balance built up.
But all 22 of the state’s circuit courts now have felony-level drug courts, to go along with 13 juvenile drug courts. The system now costs $7.6 million a year to run.
“In 2008, the Legislature wanted drug courts, statewide, so we began an aggressive expansion campaign and can finally boast of being just one of a handful of states with drug courts statewide,” State Drug Court Coordinator Joey Craft said.
In recent years, the state made ends meet by using built-up money from the fund, but accumulated savings ran out.
The Legislature also transferred $2 million from the fund to pay for circuit and appellate court funding, Lackey said.
The number of drug court participants has climbed from 1,821 in 2008 to about 3,500 today.
Officials said the state is saving $38 million a year in inmate housing and other costs by having the drug courts."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Judge Skinner protests drug court cuts & closures
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12 comments:
the drug court is an absolute no-brainer. Funding it has a huge ROI. The fact that it is a no-brainer may very well explain why politicians aren't funding it. It makes fiscal sense for the state but it doesn't have enough political bonus points to matter to them.
Skinner is a no-brainer. Biggest drunk with power redneck I have ever met.
Skinner is rough around the edges- a bull in a china shop for sure, but "drunk with power" is a bit much. He is committed to serving the justice system and law enforcement- a commitment his family all shares.
BTW, his father was Lt. William Skinner of JPD, who was killed in the line of duty by some of our new mayor's comrades in the Republik of New Africa.
Yes, anyone who has met Bill knows about his dad, who the JPD building is named for--has nothing to do with my comment. Having known him for 30 years and watched him go through law school and evolve into a bully who manhandles kids (not just the defendants, but the innocent and often the witnesses)and who condescends the attorneys and staff serves as the basis for my comment "drunk with power", which I stand by.
I didn't know that - so how soon until Chokwe has them change the name of the JPD building to honor Medgar E., instead of some ol' racist?
This is something Mississippi needs desperately. For a state that openly admits that is has a serious prescription drug problem, the government sure isn't doing a damn thing about it (Besides Conway Twitty calling out a tech firm, whose sales equal nearly 60% of the state's GDP, for search engine suggestions). **Just 30 Possums Hissing in a Barn**
I know it's unorthodox, but until we ask the most fundamental questions on this issue, we will be drained to bankruptcy by this "war" on chemicals.
The questions are simple: Do we trust the populace with their own private property - their brains?
Do we trust that people can live with the consequences of their own acts?
Until we can have an honest discussion about these things, talking about money fighting chemical crimes is tilting at windmills.
2:37 Dead on! I've called Skinners disease a case of unexplainable ego. What a dick he is behind the bench.
Wife beater and coaches shorts, both tight fitting and sporting a beefed-up body with a 12 month tan; that is our Judge Bill!
When the name Bill Skinner is mention, the first thing people can mention is that he is a "racist". Let's clear that up-this man serves and protect children who have be sexually abused, physically abused, and neglected of all color, ages, and who are all over Hinds County.He offers programs to the juvenile delinquents to get them on the right track. Judge will give anybody the shirt off of his back and he don't have to know you. The "Big Wigs" are sitting high and looking low and not worried about this issue. At least you got some damn body out there fighting to help these children and try to direct them on the right damn path. These same damn kids you say are being "manhandled" are going to be the ones who put a gun up to your head, rob you, rape you or someone you know, or just kill you. The world needs less negativity and more positivity. It's time to stop throwing out these insulting comments because don't nobody want to hear it and the reason you are mad is because he probably locked you up, you are a perpetrator, or you are just plain ignorant. God Bless
When the name Bill Skinner is mention the first thing people can mention is that he is a "racist". Let's clear that up-this man serves and protect children who have be sexually abused, physically abused, and neglected of all color, ages, and who are all over Hinds County. He offers programs to the juvenile delinquents to get them on the right track. Judge will give anybody the shirt off of his back. The "Big Wigs" are sitting high and looking low and not worried about this issue. At least you got some damn body out there fighting to help these children and try to direct them on the right damn path. These same damn kids you say are being "manhandled" are going to be the ones who put a gun up to your head, rob you, rape you or someone you know, or just kill you. The world needs less negativity and more positivity. It's time to stop throwing out these insulting comments because don't nobody want to hear it and the reason you are mad is because he probably locked you up, you are a perpetrator, or you are just plain ignorant. God Bless
Apparently, you all have no clue as to what Juvenile Drug Court is. For those of you who does not know, I will definitely explain it. Juvenile Drug Court is a program that attempts to change the behavior of juveniles who regularly use drugs and alcohol. It uses intense judicial and probation supervision; individual, group and family counseling; drug abuse treatment and educational opportunities, and the use of sanctions and incentives. Just about all of you have attempted to take hits at Judge Skinner because you have a personal grudge against him. Judge Skinner has done everything possible to ensure that each and every child is receiving the best care possible. You all have no clue as to what goes on at Hinds County Youth Court. Hinds County has a drug problem that is affecting our youth. That is what is more important than attacks on a man that does everything possible to protect "OUR" children. These children are our future and if you all are not here to protect our children then YOU ALL NEED TO SHUT UP!! Simply stated. You are ignorant (Lack of knowledge for those who does not understand)! I will defend our children and will definitely defend the cause that Judge William "Bill" Skinner is doing for our children since you all have no idea about Juvenile Drug Court. Taking personal attacks about someone's father is very low and stupid. The judge and his family had to grow up without their father on a single parent's salary. I am sure that you all were fed with a golden spoon in your mouths. You all should expect more from yourself. As for you Judge Skinner, I SUPPORT YOU!!!! Everyone else should too.!! God bless you Judge for everything you do for our community. You are AWESOME!!
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