Powers, duties, authority of department.

In addition to those otherwise provided by law, the department shall have the following powers, duties, and authority:

(1) Monitor the community punishment and corrections program within the goals and mandates established herein.

(2) Conduct statewide public education programs concerning the purposes and goals as established herein and make an annual report to the Prison Oversight Committee of the Legislature and the Alabama Sentencing Commission regarding the effectiveness of diversion of offenders from state and local correctional institutions. This annual report should also include data showing the impact of diversion of offenders by race, gender, and location of the offender.

(3) Provide technical assistance to local governments, authorities and other nonprofit entities and agencies, and local community punishment and corrections advisory boards regarding development of a community punishment and corrections program.

(4) Develop minimum standards, policies, and administrative rules for the statewide implementation of this article.

(5) Develop and implement by rule an application process and procedure.

(6) Review community punishment and corrections plans and award contracts or grants.

(7) Conduct an audit and annual program evaluation of programs receiving contracts or grants to ensure program accountability.

(8) Require community punishment and corrections plans and programs to incorporate uniform statewide evidence-based practices as defined in Section 12-25-32, subject to available resources, when supervising, treating, or providing for the treatment of offenders.

(9) Provide training for community punishment and corrections programs and employees relating to offender supervision and the utilization of evidence-based practices as defined in Section 12-25-32 in the supervision and treatment of offenders.

(10) Require community punishment and corrections programs to provide particular treatment and supervision based on the offender's risk of reoffending through use of a validated risk and needs assessment, as defined in Section 12-25-32, conducted by the program and, to the extent practicable, to prioritize treatment and supervision resources, as well as behavioral health assessment and treatment referral services, on those offenders who have the highest risk of reoffending as determined by a validated risk and needs assessment. The department shall utilize services available for veterans and servicemen and shall annually collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs to confirm behavioral and treatment services that are appropriate for referral.

(Acts 1991, No. 91-441, p. 795, §5; Act 2003-353, p. 930, §1; Act 2015-185, §3.)