Arkansas Blog: Funny business -- UPDATE II

Amid persistent rumors that a state audit is nearing completion of Judge Willard Proctor's curious Cycle Breakers probation program, comes this resolution for Quorum Court consideration, written by Proctor and sponsored by JP Mary Louise Williams.

Whereas the Quorum Court recognizes that in order to deal with crime Prevention and Intervention programs are essential; and

Whereas the Pulaski County Circuit Court, Fifth Division has a probation department which is charged with the responsibility of providing serves that will help to rehabilitate criminal defendants thereby preventing future crimes; and

Whereas the Pulaski County Circuit Court, Fifth Division has worked with Cycle Breakers, Inc. in helping to sponsors programs that will help to rehabilitate criminal defendant.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT:

1. Employees of Pulaski County are authorized to receive compensation and reimbursements from Cycle Breakers, Inc. for their services as security, drivers, group leaders, and staff at the Quarterly Mandatory Meetings, Monthly Meetings, Daily Meetings, Chemical Free Program, Anger Management/Domestic Violence Classes and other activities related to the rehabilitation of criminal defendants.

2. Employees of Pulaski County are further authorized to receive compensation and reimbursements from Cycle Breakers, Inc. for tuition, training, meetings, and other classes that they attended to further their qualifications, skills or education.

What's this about? Good question. Whatever it's about, the Quorum Court shouldn't rush off half-cocked to fiddle with a program that needs a long, thorough, public examination.

I don't understand the need for private judicial probation programs -- rather than the state probation services -- that a handful of judges operate. They look too much like political organizations and are too prone to being populated with friends, fellow church members. etc. We're nervous when, even in an honest zeal to rehabilitate, judges might create the appearance that probationary sentences are for sale for payments to the their non-profit organizations. We are not enamored of programs run by judicial fiat -- from fees to terms of rehab to employment to establishment of related non-profits that can engage in sometimes controversial real estate dealing -- without public oversight. We are fearful of judges controlling non-profit organizations that depend on charity for financial support. What's to prevent a lawyer with business before a certain court to earn favor in ways not readily apparent to the public by contributing to such an organization? These are but a few of the problems that can arise, no matter how good the intentions, in programs without public accountability. Has the state audit raised some questions about employment procedures in Proctor's program? I don't know. If so, the Quorum Court would be best advised to move carefully, not hastily.

UPDATE -- This matter is even worse than I thought. I now have a copy of another proposed ordinance, It also was authored by Judge Proctor and proposed by JP Williams. It authorizes employees of Proctor's court to collect fines, probation fees and other costs that he assesses, in place of the circuit clerk. It also allows Proctor's employees to receive and disburse restitution payments. The ordinance provides for some reporting on this procedure. A little late to close this barn door, don't you think?

UPDATE II: These proposals are up for consideration by the Quorum Court TONIGHT on an emergency basis, without going through committee as is customary. A rules suspension will be necessary. Is this Quorum Court serious about rebuilding its credibility? Or not?

UPDATE III: I'm not sure, because I wasn't hooked to the TV, but I think a vote to suspend the rules to consider these proposals tonight failed.

Comments

Cyclebreakers is a JOKE as is the other Hoover Place where Proctor sends people...NOBODY is watching what's going on at these places...allowing county employees to be paid by Cyclebreakers is a clear conflict of interest. What a JOKE!

Posted by: ItsWorseThanYouThink | July 24, 2007 10:20 AM

Is this the same Quorum Court that will be coming to me soon with their hand out for jail money? If so, then they can join Quillen's enabler Villines in the "not no but HELL NO" line.

I wouldn't trust this crooked bunch with another nickle.

Posted by: 70%er | July 24, 2007 10:22 AM

Hmmm. Is the good judge perhaps an "employee" of Pulaski County also?

Posted by: Doigotta | July 24, 2007 10:27 AM

Who are the sponsors.

ARK. BLOG: Mary Louise Williams.

Posted by: Stump | July 24, 2007 10:35 AM

This is obviously a very thinly veiled attempt by Quorum Court member, Mary Louise Williams, to try and keep Judge Proctor, and some of his employees, out of jail. Unless this resolution is retroactive for at least 6 years, it won't do them any good - and it shouldn't. ANY program that a judge sentences people who appear before him should be completely open to public scrutiny. Judge Proctor made sure to keep his program under wraps, and thus free from any scrutiny, until another judge ruled recently that he could no longer do that. Judge Proctor made his bed and he is about to have to lie in it.

Posted by: boggled | July 24, 2007 11:03 AM

I don't know all the politics here but the more I think about it the more disturbed I become.

Is there actually a precedent for this anywhere else in the county.

Posted by: Stump | July 24, 2007 11:13 AM

This smells a little like the Lord's Ranch deal, huh?

Posted by: hugh mann | July 24, 2007 11:14 AM

Obviously criminal offenders have to be coerced by judges. Otherwise, they could not be sentenced at all. However, for a judge to coerce an offender into a faith-based program violates not only the first amendment of the Constitution, but also Christian gospel. With regard to potential converts, as well as money, churches are supposed to be charitable organizatiions, not charity organizations. So, yes, the Quorum Court should stay out of this. So should Judge Proctor.

Posted by: Snapback | July 24, 2007 11:22 AM

Just one more step in the plan to restore faith and confidence in elected officials in Little Rock and Pulaski County.

Glad to see that Hathaway's task force made such a strong impression on the need to clean up PUCO government.

Posted by: Equity | July 24, 2007 11:50 AM

I know that some urban Christian initiatives have a different, more experience - centered, or "street-wise" or culture sensitive approach to rehabilitation that they believe is more effective than traditional government programs (which have not exactly been models of success). I don't know whether Cycle Breakers fits in this category, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Some of these programs seek to uplift without proselytizing, as part of a Christian mission defined as "feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, uplifting the downtrodden and mending the brokenhearted" (think soup kitchens, for example.)

That said, I think it's best if these faith-based, non-proselytizing programs avoid government involvement and funding, for their sakes as well as those of the government and the public. As one judge famously remarked, "Men must turn square corners when they deal with the government..."

I imagine Judge Proctor understands, now, that there needs to be a full and transparent accounting of what has transpired, probably followed by a different approach to community-based rehabilitation.

Posted by: TAP | July 24, 2007 12:32 PM

TAP wrote: "I imagine Judge Proctor understands, now, that there needs to be a full and transparent accounting of what has transpired, probably followed by a different approach to community-based rehabilitation"

No, I don't think the good judge DOES understand. I think he believes he can just get his cronies on the QC to paper over this obvious malfeasance and proceed about 'his' business. The problem is that he's doing 'his' business with 'our' enforcers.

Time for Proctor and Williams to go.

Posted by: 70%er | July 24, 2007 01:50 PM

70%er--

I hadn't read the updates when I posted. I think now the best thing is to Stop. Account. Come Clean. Take the Heat. Change. Move On.

Posted by: TAP | July 24, 2007 01:58 PM

TAP - I certainly didn't intend to imply you were sticking up for Proctor.

I am incensed at the whole of county governmet. With their incompetence and coverups of petty misfeasance it's like BushCo on the Arkansas.

I just want to say that no PuCo official will ever get my vote again. And that's a damned shame because O'Brian, Ward, Buckner et.al. are doing a fine job. Perhaps as independently elected officials they could publicly oppose the malfeasance of Villines / Quillen and Proctor / Williams it would ameliorate my disgust with the whole crew.

Posted by: 70%er | July 24, 2007 02:25 PM

Tactics like these are being applied on the LRSD as well. Thinly veiled attempts to line a friend's pockets.

Any coincidence that Dr. Mitchell and Mary Louise WIlliams probably get their political advice from the same playbook. They live in the same political districts in Little Rock and would be natural allies because of their proximity.

Posted by: Stump | July 24, 2007 02:38 PM

From the Quorum Court Webste
--------------------------------------------------------------

PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE - DISTRICT 9

MARY LOUISE WILLIAMS
2701 South Chester
Little Rock, AR 72206
Phone: (501) 376-2255
Fax: (501) 376-2244

Party Affiliation:
Democrat
Occupation:
Justice of the Peace
Retired School Administrator
Private Music Teacher
Served:
Justice of the Peace 1993-2007
Chair Pulaski County Democratic Party 2003
Chair Pulaski County Election Commission 1996
Committees:
Administration Committee
Budget Committee
Legislative Sub-Committee
Committee to Review Grand Jury Findings
Wedding Ceremonies Performed:
Call (501) 376-2255

Posted by: Stump | July 24, 2007 02:40 PM

I don't mean to prejudge anyone as having done anything wrong. When I say "come clean," I just mean *invite* a full and transparent review of (and accept any attendant heat for) whatever has been done, rather than be plagued by the drip-drip-drip of unfolding controversy.

Posted by: TAP | July 24, 2007 08:26 PM

Arkansas Blog

Funny business -- UPDATE II

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