Letter to John Bates, Director of the Administrative Office of the US Courts - Schumer Calls for Swift Updates Regarding Progress Made on Probation Protocols Since the David Renz Case, Nearly A Year After A.O. Released Analysis of Crime

Letter

Dear Director Bates:

I write today to make further inquiry into the horrific case of David Renz, who has pleaded guilty to murdering Liverpool, N.Y. librarian Lori Bresnahan and raping a 10-year-old girl. His sentencing has been scheduled for March 14th.

As you and the Upstate New York community well know, 46 alerts were generated to the supervising officers, which indicated that Renz was tampering with his equipment. However, there were no documented consequences from the Probation Office. As a result, he was able finally to remove the bracelet and escape from his confinement in order to commit his heinous acts.

I have reviewed the report that you submitted to the Chief Judge of the Northern District of New York on April 9, 2013. Your office has also indicated that it is completing a more thorough review of the electronic monitoring that is performed by probation offices throughout the country

I would like to know, generally, what the A.O. is doing nationally, as well as in the Northern District of New York, to follow up on your review. Please address, but do not limit your response to, the following issues:

· What improvements you have made to the proper procedures for supervising probation officers, their monitoring practices, and their follow-through with regard to in-person visits?

· How you are monitoring reforms from your position at the A.O.?

· What improvements, to include policy and procedures that ensure program and officer oversight, you have implemented to include the review of probation offices and training for both the Northern District of New York and nationally?

· How you are ensuring that offices are complying with the policy and procedures to include any report or outcome measures that you review?

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