The focus of the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP) is to develop an interagency response to chronic juvenile offenders.  It is an information sharing and case management program involving education, social service providers, the court system and law enforcement. This program acts as an intervention, tracking, and communication enhancement force for juvenile offenders in Madison County.

 

The Huntsville Police Department recognizes that a small number of habitual juvenile offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.  It is, therefore, essential that the resources of the department be focused on these "high risk offenders".  The SHOCAP Program, with the help of the law enforcement agencies in Madison County, provide enhanced community control of the juvenile offenders who are court ordered to participate. SHOCAP's ultimate goal is to assist the juvenile in becoming a productive citizen who will conform to the rules of society.  The alternative, is maximum incarceration in a juvenile facility until the juvenile becomes 18 years of age. 

 

SHOCAP ensures that serious habitual offenders are held accountable for their criminal activities.  In addition, on a daily/weekly basis these juveniles are monitored and supervised in their homes, schools, and their jobs to both control their activities and to obtain a true picture of their living environment.  Therefore, law enforcement obtains detailed information for the courts; strict compliance from the juveniles on sanctions imposed upon them, and allows SHOCAP the ability to immediately intervene should any problem arise.  

 

A given juvenile offender is placed on SHOCAP after committing a crime, or combination of crimes, that make them eligible per the SHOCAP guidelines.  Some examples of qualifying crimes include assault, burglary, robbery, or a combination of lesser felony offenses within a 12 month period.  These juveniles are assigned to the SHOCAP by three different juvenile district court judges, each of which have specific expectations about the quality of oversight provided by the program. 

Questions regarding the SHOCAP program should be directed to Melissa Stokes, SHOCAP Project Manager.