GED Program for Adults and Juveniles: Approximately 95% of all people
incarcerated in the State of Alabama have not graduated high school and
do not have a GED. With help from the Adult Education Division of Wallace
State College and the County Board of Education, Judge Chaney started a
special GED program for Cullman's adults and juveniles in 1993. Although,
these services are free to the public, some participants are required to
attend by court order. Classes are taught every Wednesday and Thursday,
from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the public library.
Cullman Community Corrections: In 1993 the Alabama legislature passed
into law the Community Corrections Act. Cullman was the first county in
the state to form a non-profit corporation to assist the courts. Judge
Chaney formed Cullman Community Corrections in 1993 and still serves as
its president. The program has been a model for other counties in the
state and currently is running three different programs:
County Probation: Provides supervised probation and monthly
monitoring to persons charged with misdemeanor offenses. Since
its implementation, collections of restitution, fines and costs
have increased approximately 40%.
Work Release Program: Allows offenders to work during the day
and then be locked in jail each night. The offenders are monitored
for alcohol and drugs, are required to take care of their families,
and are required to pay ordered restitution, fines and court costs.
Community Service: Puts offenders to work doing community
service, painting, picking up trash, working at the county
parks and performing other tasks. During the first year alone,
over 10,000 man hours of work were recorded saving Cullman
County thousands of dollars in labor costs.
Juvenile Boot Camp: Judge Chaney helped form Camp Mitnick in 1994 and
still serves as its president. The boot camp for Juvenile offenders was
the first program of its kind in Alabama. This program lasts six weeks and
is used as an alternative to incarceration. It helps young men learn
discipline and how to work. It also instills pride, self worth and self
confidence. Located in the edge of Walker County, the camp has a full time
school, a chapel, a 60 foot repelling tower and its own vegetable gardens.
Camp Mitnick has proven to be very successful and now serves 12 counties
in North Central Alabama.
Ropes Course: In 1997, with the permission and support of the City Board
of Education and the Rotary Club, Judge Chaney put in a ropes course at
the Rotary Trail. Like Camp Mitnick, this program is proving to be another
successful way of helping young people. To its credit, Cullman is the only
Juvenile Court in the State with its own ropes course. The course is
composed of low elements, platforms and high elements. Most participants
are court ordered, however, the course is available to Boy Scouts and
church groups.
Baby "Think It Over" Program: To combat teenage pregnancies, Cullman
Regional Medical Center working with Judge Chaney, provided five
computerized babies and the Juvenile court purchased three additional
computerized babies. The babies were then donated to Cullman High School
and Cullman Middle School for use in their home economics classes. Like
real babies, the computerized babies cry and require constant attention
by their "parents." Since the program's inception, several more babies
have been donated to area county schools.
Domestic Violence Task Force: Judge Chaney created and chaired a
Domestic Violence Task Force composed of area law enforcement officers,
prosecutors, and judges, to make uniform policies and procedures in
handling domestic violence cases in Cullman County.
Cullman Juvenile Coordinating Counsel: Judge Chaney chairs the
counsel which is made up of all the local agencies that work with the
youth of Cullman County. The Counsel identifies problems facing
Cullman's young people and coordinates the services needed.
Early Warning Truancy Program: Through the joint efforts of the
Cullman County and City Boards of Education, the Juvenile Court has
a truancy officer who works directly with the schools and the Juvenile
Court to insure compliance with mandatory school attendance laws.
Driving Schools: Judge Chaney has successfully used driving schools
to educate drivers who received tickets for traffic infractions. This
gives first time offenders a chance to learn how to slow down and keeps
the violation from being listed on their driving record.
Judicial Award of Excellence Scholarship: In 1996 Judge Chaney
established this annual scholarship. It is presented to a graduating
student from each county high school in recognition of the student
overcoming some diverse hardship.
Children's Golf Classic: In 1997 Judge Chaney spearheaded, along
with Judge Brunner, Judge Hardeman and Judge Thomas, the first
Children's Golf Classic. The money raised at the tournament is used to
help the children of our community. Community response to the tournament
was tremendous and plans are being made to make this an annual event.
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