FBI INVESTIGATION DELAYS EVALUATION OF DRUG COURT

Bid Improprieties Examined; Federal Funds At Stake

An FBI inquiry and high bids have delayed Hinds County in applying for a
federal grant for its drug court.

FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden said the FBI investigated allegations of bid
improprieties after Professional Associates submitted a low bid of $45,000
among three bidders to evaluate the drug court program. Pathfinders and
Associates and MPART each bid $48,000.

"We took our information to the U.S. attorney's office," Madden said. "It
was evaluated there, and as a result, we closed the matter."

Board President Doug Anderson said the FBI investigation raised a red flag
for him, adding that the work can be done for between $10,000 and $15,000.
"So the best course is to get new bids," Anderson said.

The deadline for new bids is April 7.

Once selected, the contractor will have a maximum of 50 days to evaluate
140 drug court participants' files with regard to recidivism, employment
status, drug use, mental health and other information.

Drug court programs give defendants convicted of possession of drugs a
second chance through treatment over incarceration.

Brenda Mathis, program director for the Hinds County Drug Court's diversion
program, said she would "pitch in" to help the successful bidder.

"We need an evaluation so that everyone will know if the information I am
providing is correct," said Mathis, who said she performs multiple duties.
"It would also help us get grants from the U.S. Department of Justice's
Office of Justice Programs.

"Our budget now is $150,000 and grants would allow us to provide more
services for clients and add some more (employees) to our program."

Hinds County Judge Mike Parker, who recently succeeded Bobby DeLaughter in
handling drug court cases, said an evaluation would help him, too.

"I would like to see where we stand since I just got here and the program
has been in place two years," Parker said. "The drug court is one of the
few places the indigent can get drug treatment to get out of the cycle of
drug use."