12-299.03. Duties of the supreme court; evaluation

A. The supreme court shall:

1. Implement and administer the community punishment program.

2. Adopt necessary guidelines, rules, standards and policies to implement this article.

3. Facilitate the development of local plans.

4. Develop and implement an application process and procedures.

5. Review and approve plans and budgets.

6. Allocate funding.

7. Provide statewide training and technical assistance to the superior court, adult probation departments and advisory committees regarding community punishment.

8. Conduct an evaluation of all programs on a periodic basis to ensure program accountability. The evaluation report shall include information for the superior court in each participating county on the number of offenders serving suspended sentences on probation and intensive probation, the average cost per offender, the amount of restitution, fines and fees paid, the number of community restitution hours contributed by offenders and the number of offenders who have successfully completed terms of probation. The supreme court shall submit the report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state. The supreme court may contract with a private consultant to prepare this evaluation report. Beginning July 1, 2011, the report shall be submitted electronically.

B. The supreme court may contract directly with private human service agencies to develop, implement and operate community punishment programs.