Program for repeat offenders sees success in graduates

By Jeremy Twitchell

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 11 p.m.

Normally, the defendants’ box in Judge Douglas Hedger's courtroom is not an ideal place to be.

And with 30 arrests from 2000-2008, Richard Heavin knows that well — he's entered the Henderson Municipal Court judge's courtroom as a defendant on many occasions.

But today, the day after his 45th birthday, Heavin was honored to take his seat in that box as one of the first two graduates of Hedger's Assistance in Breaking the Cycle (ABC) Program, which is designed to help habitual offenders like Heavin achieve meaningful rehabilitation.

For Heavin, whose addictions and repeat offenses drove him to divorce and homelessness, the program has offered a way back.

"I'm actually good," he said after the graduation ceremony. "Everything's cool and I'm getting back on track."

The ABC Program is for habitual, non-violent offenders who have drug and alcohol addictions, Hedger said. In most cases, participants are homeless.

To complete the program, participants must complete four 90-day cycles that include living in a supervised recovery home, daily attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, daily drug counseling and contact with the ABC Program's case manager every day.

They receive tutoring, free or low-cost medical care and job training and placement assistance.

Eligible candidates for the program are given a choice, Hedger said: Enter ABC or go to jail for six months.

"Some participants would probably say it would have been easier to do the six months," Hedger said. "It really is an intensive one- to two-year program. But these individuals who progress through these phases are just done. They're ready to change."

Heavin said he had 40 days left on his jail sentence when Hedger offered him a spot in ABC almost 14 months ago. Heavin was appearing in court at the time and only had a few seconds to think it over, which was about all he needed, he said.

"I took the program because I knew that I had to get back on track," he said. "Have some structure, if you will."

While in ABC, Heavin secured full-time employment and went to culinary school. Now, he has his own place, a bank account and he pays his own bills. He's been sober for a year.

After graduating in front of the program's other 15 members, Heavin said he hopes his story will inspire them.

"I feel like it's a great accomplishment," he said. "I hope it's a great example."

Hedger said ABC has very tangible benefits for both the participants and the community. Heavin and his fellow graduate, who asked not to be identified, have spent a combined total of 410 days in jail, costing taxpayers almost $45,000.

Neither man plans to return.

In addition to saving the city thousands on incarceration costs, Hedger said, the program costs the city nothing. The Nevada Supreme Court funds administrative costs with a grant, local doctors and businesses donate all services and Clark County Social Services subsidizes rent for participants staying in a recovery home.

What can't be measured, he said, is the impact that graduates will have on society.

"We're getting habitual offenders off the streets and they become contributing members of society again," Hedger said.

Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, who presented the graduates with their certificates, said the cost savings are welcome news at a time when the city is struggling financially and has charged employees with developing new, cost-saving ways of doing business.

"That innovation is certainly something that is just great all around, and we encourage that," Hafen said. "We’ve asked our employees to make these suggestions and no suggestion is taken lightly. Wherever we can implement change, we’re going to do it. We have to."