8. Prosecutorial Innovation #4: Kentucky's Groundbreaking H.E.A.R.T. Program

Right On Crime and Prosecutorial Innovation in America Director Kurt Altman sits down with Rob Sanders, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Kentucky’s 16th Judicial Circuit, Kenton County to discuss the benefits of the H.E.A.R.T. program. This innovative and groundbreaking program sees a 92% success rate, meaning only an 8% recidivism rate in drug cases. Sanders says the H.E.A.R.T. program is effective because it saves taxpayers money by freeing up prison space, addressing addiction, and giving people a second chance to avoid prison. 

Sanders believes being tough on crime is about saving prison cells for violent criminals to keep the community safe, he says “We must draw the line on who we’re afraid of and who we’re mad at versus who we’re just annoyed with.”