I noticed in this program--and I wish I had had the advantage of my colleague, having visited.... It seemed to me there was a really intimate knowledge of the people in the program and the players in the courtroom setting. The judge seemed to know these people and seemed to be encouraging their development. It struck me as highly unusual from the courts that I used to go to. When I did drug court in my city years ago, it certainly wasn't like that. It was in and out fast in the court I was in, and nobody cared what your name was, barely. This is a completely different environment, and maybe Mr. Wilson could talk about the atmosphere and the support mechanisms and the knowledge of the individual. Again, when there was a slip-up or something, it seemed as if it were being dealt with in a much more empathetic manner, and it obviously worked for some people.
On October 31st, 2006. See this statement in context.