U.S. judge speaker inspires conversation about effective probation programs

During a Oct. 1-6 visit to Brazil, a U.S. speaker, Judge Steven Alm, engaged with state and federal judges, prosecutors, and law students presenting the Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program that he developed in 2004. The HOPE model have been successful in lowering the cases of recidivism in over 30 U.S. state courts. In Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Judge Alm had the opportunity to observe a collective alternative sentencing hearing noting procedural similarities to the U.S. program.