Program Guest Speaker May 15th

On May 15th, our guest speakers were Barbara Miller and Adilene Calderone of Friendship Diversion Services.  This was the second of our program events related to understanding incarceration and alternatives in Whatcom County.  Judy Kasper, Claire Lending, Murray Bennett, Mike Betz, Stephanie Sarver and Rupert Ayton attended in person, while David Curley, Naomi Gary, Alan Friedlob, Hank Ohana, Kathryn Allen, and Barbara Gilday attended on Zoom.

Friendship Diversion Services is a Washington nonprofit that works with some court systems within the state to provide jail and sentencing alternatives.  Attendees learned details and applications of pre-trial and post-trial electronic GPS monitoring processes designed to allow individuals to stay out of jail and live with activity restrictions that allow some degree of normality while also protecting victims or alleged victims of crimes.  One important aspect of the monitoring system attendees learned about was how it could be used to monitor restraining orders.

Attendees learned how the GPS system works and how it is monitored, as well as how cases are handled.  Attendees also learned how the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) ankle monitor is deployed and monitored.

Attendees learned a little of the economics of monitoring systems and the conflict between the level of hands-on service provided by FDS as compared to the lack thereof with county and municipal agencies.  

Attendees also heard about the original diversion services provided by FDS that helps individuals have their convictions vacated after they have successfully completed the program.  This hands-on program enables individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute to society.  Unfortunately, it seems Whatcom County is not interested exploring this important approach to solving the shortcomings of the criminal justice system, a point that engaged some attendees in a discussion of how to change that lack of interest and perhaps make that a project for BLM

More information on FDS may be found here: https://www.friendshipdiversion.org/about-us/