PBS NewsHour Weekend; PBS NewsHour Weekend : KQED : February 2, 2014 5:30pm-6:01pm PST

>>> ON THIS EDITION FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd, CONCILIATORY TALK FROM IRAN. WHAT'S BEHIND ALL THE FINANCIAL MARKET TURMOIL AND WHAT MIGHT BE AHEAD. IN OUR SIGNATURE SEGMENT FROM HAWAII, A GET SOFT PROGRAM KEEPING PRISONERS OUT OF PRISON.

>> I THOUGHT ABOUT THE WAY I WAS RAISED, THE WAY MY WIFE AND I WERE TRYING TO RAISE OUR SON. YOU TELL THEM WHAT THE FAMILY RULES ARE. IF THERE'S MISBEHAVIOR, YOU DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. >>> AND THE DEATH OF PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, NEXT ON PBS "NEWSHOUR WEEKEND." >>> PBS "NEWSHOUR WEEKEND" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY LEWIS B. AND LOUISE HIRSCHFELD CULLMAN, JUDY AND JOSH WESTON, JOYCE B. HAIL, THE WALLACH FAMILY, IN MEMORY OF MIRIAM AND IRA D. WALLACH, BERNARD AND IRENE SCHWARTZ, ROSALYN P. WALTER, PACIFIC ISLANDERS AND COMMUNICATIONS. CORPORATE FUNDING BY MUTUAL OF AMERICA, DESIGNING CUSTOMIZED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RETIREMENT PROJECTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY -- AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. FROM THE TISCH WNET STUDIOS AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK. ARI.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US, NEW CONCILIATORY SIGNALS FROM IRAN TODAY AFTER A PRIVATE MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY, THE IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAID IT WOULD BE QUOTING, A DISASTER IF THE NUCLEAR DEAL BETWEEN THE WESTERN POWERS AND IRAN DIDN'T BECOME PERMANENT. UNDER THE INTERIM DEAL IRAN AGREED TO FREEZE ITS MOST SENSITIVE NUCLEAR OPERATIONS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE WEST EASING A SMALL PORTION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN. SPEAKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CONFERENCE IN MUNICH, GERMANY, HE SAID GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE LONGER TERM DEAL TO GET DONE.

>> THAT CAN IN AND OF ITSELF BE THE BEST GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE FOOLISH SHOULD WE DECIDE TO BREAK AWAY FROM. I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE. I THINK THIS IS A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY. I THIF WE NEED TO SEE THIS. I THINK IF WE DON'T, IF WE WORK ON THE BASIS OF ILLUSION, WE WILL REGRET IT IN THE DAYS AND YEARS TO COME. >>> PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU CALLED BOY COTS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY IMMORAL AND UNJUST AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL. YESTERDAY SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY SAID THE RISK OF BOY COTS AGAINST ISRAEL WOULD INTENSIFY IF THE LATEST EFFORTS TO REACH AGREEMENT BETWEEN THAT COUNTRY AND PALESTINE WOULD FAIL: IN SYRIA TODAY THE GOVERNMENT RENEWED ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF ALEPPO. THIS WAS OBTAINED ON A SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE. THE AUTHENTICITY COULD NOT BE CONFIRMED. THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP SAID AT LEAST 33 PEOPLE WERE KILLED THERE IN THE SYRIAN MILITARY BOMBING ATTACKS;t YESTER >>> DESPITE MONTHS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS, THAILAND WENT AHEAD WITH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO DAY. THERE WERE NO MAJOR INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE REPORTED. THOUGH RESULTS HAVE YET TO BE ANNOUNCED, THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN POWER. THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY BOYCOTTED THE ELECTION. >>> FROM AFRICA TONIGHT, WORD THAT THE FIGHTING IN SOUTH SUDAN IS CAUSING A FOOD CRISIS FOR MILLIONS IN THAT COUNTRY. THE U.N. SAYS AN ESTIMATED 3.7 MILLION PEOPLE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF FOOD. THE GOVERNMENT AND REBELS SIGNED A CEASEFIRE IN LATE JANUARY, BUT FIGHTING CONTINUES. THE CONFLICT HAS KILLED THOUSANDS AND DISPLACED MORE THAN 800,000 PEOPLE OR A THIRD OF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION. SOUTH SUDAN WON ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 2011. >>> NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE FIRED BACK AT DAVID WILDSTEIN. WILDSTEIN SAYING CHRISTIE KNEW ABOUT THE BRIDGE CLOSING WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING. LATE YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING DAVID WILDSTEIN WILL DO AND SAY ANYTHING TO SAVE DAVID WILDSTEIN. THE GOVERNOR INSISTED HE LEARNED AFTER THE INCIDENT ONLY AFTER IT WAS OVER. >>> THE ACCLAIMED ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTOR PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENT. HE WAS 46 YEARS OLD. AUTHORITIES SUSPECT HE DIED OF A DRUG OVERDOSE. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORT HOFFMAN WAS TREATED FOR DRUG PROBLEMS INCLUDING HEROIN USE LAST YEAR. HE HAD A NUMBER OF STARRING ROLES ON BROADWAY INCLUDING THE 2012 PRODUCTION OF "DEATH OF A SALESMAN." ONE OF HIS EARLIEST FILM ROLES WAS IN "SCENT OF A WOMAN."

>> IN THE FINAL SCENE WHEN THE BELLHOP TOLD MANY HAD A PHONE CALL AND IT WAS MY STEPFATHER CALLING TO SAY MY MOTHER HAD DIED. I FLEW HOME TO NEW YORK, TERRIBLY DISTRAUGHT. WHEN I GOT TO THE APARTMENT, I COULD SEE THAT JOE WAS IN EVEN WORSE SHAPE THAN I WAS. HE GRABBED MY HAND AND HE SAID TO ME, TALK. >>> IT WAS ONLY FIVE WEEKS AGO THAT MOST ANALYSTS WERE PREDICTING THAT 2014 WOULD BE OOD GOOD YEAR FOR WALL STREET INVESTORS FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S HUGE RUN-UP. IN JANUARY THE DOW TURNED IN ITS WORST PERFORMANCE IN MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. AS FEBRUARY TRADING GETS UNDER WAY, THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT TURMOIL OVERSEAS AND THE CONTINUING ROLL BACK OF THE STIMULUS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO ROYAL U.S. MARKETS. FOR MORE ABOUT ALL THIS, WE'RE JOINED FROM RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BY ROBIN FAR SAAD OF BLOOMBERG. LET'S START WITH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN. DOMESTIC T TRANSITION OF POWER, THE FED CHAIRMAN CHANGING OVER. WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

>> BECAUSE THE FED HAS BEEN THE PLAYER IN THE MARKETS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF STIMULUS, ALMOST $4 TRILLION OF QUAUCHBT THEYIVE EASING IN ADDITION TO INTEREST RATES BEING AT NIL. SO THE WORLD IS TRYING TO GET ITS HEAD AROUND THIS IDEA OF BEN BERNANKE, HE'S NOW CAN BEACH IN COZUMEL AND JANET YELLEN IS TAKING OFF MONDAY A.M. AND EVERYBODY IS ON INTOER HOOKS. IT'S NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES THAT'S BEEN THE BENEFICIARY, IT'S BEEN THE EMERGING ECONOMIES AS WELL.

>> JANET YELLEN HAS A DIFFICULT TASK TO WEAN THE WORLD OFF OF THIS.

>> I USE THE METAPHOR OF WRESTLING THE BONES FROM THE DOG'S MOUTH. NO ONE CAN REMEMBER THE LAST TIME MONEY COST SOMETHING. THE U.S. HAS BEEN AT ZERO INTEREST RATES FOR SO LONG, YOU COULD GET MORTGAGE RATES FOR NEXT TO NOTHING, BUY JUNK BONDS, EMERGING MARKET STOCKS AND DEBTS. NOW THE MORNING AFTER, WE'RE IN STAGE ONE OF WITHDRAWING THE STIMULUS, BRIPGING DOWN QE. ULTIMATELY THE FED IS GOING TO HAVE TO HIKE INTEREST RATES. WHAT WILL THE MORNING AFTER LOOK LIKE.

>> PAINT THAT CONNECTION FOR US. SWI WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE AT THE FED CONNECTED TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ARGENTINA AND ITS CURRENCY?

>> EVERYTHING IS TIED TO THE INTEREST RATE THAT'S EFFECTIVE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE TEN-YEAR BORROWING RATE. THE FED CONTROLS SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES. IF MONEY IS CHEAP, INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS ARE BOUND TO GO ELSEWHERE, EXOTIC PLACES IN ORDER TO GRAB YIELDS. WHEN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE MAXED OUT, THEY'LL GO TO EVEN MORE EXOTIC PLACES. SUB SAHARAN AFRICA, THE PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM AND EVERYBODY HAS GOTTEN SO USED TO THE FACT OOPSZ THAT YOU CAN BORROW U.S. DOLLARS FOR CLOSE TO NOTHING AND PUT THEM IN OTHER CURRENCIES. THIS HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR OTHER ECONOMIES WHO CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT INFLUX OF HOT MONEY. IF YOU GET USED TO IT AND THE HOT MONEY ROLLS BACK WHEN IT REALIZES IT'S GOING TO THE UNITED STATES WHEN INTEREST RATES MIGHT GO UP, IT'S WHIPLASHING FOR MARKETS LIKE INDIA, BRAZIL. YOU SEE THE UKRAINE HAVING POLITICAL VIOLENCE. TURKEY IS TRYING TO GET ITS HEAD AROUND WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FROM A MONETARY PERSPECTIVE.

>> HELP US UNDERSTAND, WHY DOES WHAT HAPPENS IN ALL THESE EMERGING MARKETS CONNECT BACK TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE U.S. STOCK MARKET? IS IT BECAUSE ALL THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME? IS THAT UNPRECEDENTED?

>> IT'S LIKE THE OLD NEW YORK TELEPHONE JINGLE, WE'RE ALL CONNECTED. IT'S KIND OF A TOM FRIEDMAN MANTRA, THE WORLD IS FLAT. IF THERE'S A REVERBERATION IN A PLACE LIKE ARGENTINA OR VENEZUELA. THERE'S RIOTING, LOOTING IN VENEZUELA. ARGENTINA HAS A TRAUMATIC DEBT DEFAELT, HOW DOES THAT RECOURSE TO CHINA WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL SPONSORS OF UNITED STATES SPENDING. IF CHINA ISSIC THAT EN ONLINE OR GROWTH IS WEAKER THERE, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT ALL THE OTHER SMALLER ASIAN NATIONS THAT ORBIT CHINA? THE UNITED STATES IS NO ISLAND. THIS IS NO CRISIS LIKE WE HAD IN THE LATE '90s WHERE EMERGING MARKETS WERE BLOWING UP LEFT AND RIGHT AND THE UNITED STATES WAS THE STRONG ONE. WE'VE NEVER BEEN SO INTERCONNECTED AND DEPENDENT AS WE ARE NOW.

>> ROBIN FAR ZAG FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESS, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE. >>> AND NOW TO OUR SIGNATURE SEGMENT. TONIGHT WE RETURN TO HAWAII TO REPORT ON A PROGRAM THAT BEGAN LOCALLY, BUT IS NOW EXPANDING ACROSS THE NATION THANKS TO ITS SUCCESS. IT'S CALLED HOPE. AND IT'S DESIGNED TO KEEP PROBATIONERS OUT OF PRISON. THAT'S A PRIORITY IN STATES WHERE HOUSING INMATES IS SO EXPENSIVE. PROBATION IS MEANT TO KEEP OFFENDERS ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW WITHOUT LOCKING THEM UP FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IT DOESN'T OFTEN WORK OUT THAT WAY. A JUDGE IN HAWAII TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT. MEGAN THOMPSON'S REPORT FIRST AIRED IN NOVEMBER.

>> SINCE I CAN'T CONTROL WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DORKS I CAN CONTROL WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. WHAT THAT MEANS, IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THE CONDITIONS OF PROBATION, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME GIVING YOU JAIL TIME.

>> Reporter: THIS ISN'T THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE. WHEN JUDGE STEPHEN AL WAS ASSIGNED TO A FELONY COURTROOM IN HONOLULU IN 2004. HE SAW JUDGES ROUTINELY WARNING OFFENDERS TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF PROBATION. PROBATIONERS JUST AS ROUTINELY IGNORING THOSE WARNINGS.

>> AT SENTENCING THE JUDGE SAYS NO DRUGS, YOU HAVE TO SEE YOUR PROBATION OFF SECTION YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR RESTITUTION. AND THEN IN THE REAL WORLD, THEY GO OUT AND VIOLATE THOSE CONDITIONS AND TYPICALLY THERE'S NO CONSEQUENCE.

>> Reporter: NO CONSEQUENCE BECAUSE THE ONLY THREAT WAS YEARS IN PRISON. BUT THAT THREAT WAS USUALLY ONLY CARRIED OUT AFTER DOZENS OF VIOLATIONS OVER MONTHS OR YEARS.

>> AND I THOUGHT WHAT A CRAZY WAY TO TRY TO CHANGE ANYBODY'S BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE JUST AREN'T REFORMING?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE NOT GETTING BETTER.

>> THEY'RE GETTING WORSE.

>> Reporter: JUDGE AL, A FORMER CITY PROSECUTOR AND U.S. ATTORNEY WITH A REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE COURT'S TOUGHEST SENTENCERS WASN'T HAVING IT. HE DECIDED TO TRY A DIFFERENT APPROACH, HIS APPROACH BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE AS A FATHER.

>> I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHAT WOULD WORK TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR. I THOUGHT OF THE WAY I WAS RAISED, THE WAY MY WIFE AND I WERE TRYING TO RAISE OUR SON. YOUR TELL THEM THE FAMILY RULES. AND IF THERE'S MISBEHAVIOR, YOU DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. SWIFT AND CERTAIN IS WHAT'S GOING TO GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION AND HELP THEM TIE TOGETHER BAD BEHAVIOR WITH A CONSEQUENCE AND LEARN FROM IT.

>> DO YOU NEED TO SIT IN JAIL ANY LONGER TO REALIZE HOW SERIOUSLY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ALL THIS STUFF?

>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL THE TOUGH TALK, HE CALLED HIS NEW PROGRAM H.O.P.E. IT STANDS FOR HAWAII OPPORTUNITY PROBATION WITH ENFORCEMENT. JUDGE ALL WORKED WITH THE PROBATION SUPERVISOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INSTITUTE NEW PROCEDURES WHICH WERE PRETTY SIMPLE. IF ANY PROBATIONER VIOLATED THE RULES, THEY WOULD BE PUNISHED IMMEDIATELY.

>> IN SOME WAYS H.O.P.E. IS PARENTING 101. A LOT OF THE FOLKS IN THE PROGRAM I THINK GREW UP IN FAMILIES WHERE THERE WASN'T A LOT OF STRUCTURE, THERE WASN'T A LOT OF TIE-IN BETWEEN BEHAVIOR AND CONSEQUENCE, SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM IT.

>> MAKE SURE YOU CALL THE HOTLINE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

>> Reporter: THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM TARGETS PROBATIONERS WITH HIGHEST RISK OF BREAKING THE RULES. AL ESTIMATES ABOUT 80% OF THEM ABUSE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. UNLIKE REGULAR PROBATION WHERE OFFENDERS CAN ANTICIPATE A DRUG TEST, THE TESTS ARE FREQUENT AND RANDOM. PROBATIONERS ARE ASSIGNED A CALLER AND NUMBER.

>> TODAY'S COLOR ARE BLUE IS TWO, GREEN IS THREE. IF THEIR COLOR AND NUMBER ARE CALLED, THEY MUST REPORT BY 2:00 P.M., NO EXCUSES. SHORT JAIL STAYS, SOMETIMES JUST A FEW DAYS LONG ARE IMMEDIATELY IMPOSED FOR POSITIVE DRUG TESTS AND OTHER VIOLATIONS LIKE MISSING APPOINTMENTS. BUT THERE IS SOME LEEWAY HERE.

>> ANYBODY WHO SHOWS UP ATTEST DIRTY AND ADMITS TO IT IS TELLING ME THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE HAVING PROBLEMS, THEY MESSED UP, BUT THEY'RE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M GOING TO REFLECT THAT BY ONLY GIVING YOU A COUPLE DAYS IN JAIL. WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT.

>> Reporter: THE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE REFORMS IN HAWAII SOON PRODUCED REMARKABLE RESULTS. AN ARM OF THE DEPARTMENT. OF JUSTICE FUNDED A STUDY FIVE YEARS AFTER THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED. THAT STUDY FOUND THAT COMPARED TO PEOPLE OF REGULAR PROBATION, H.O.P.E. PROBATIONERS WERE HALF AS LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED FOR NEW CRIMES OR HAVE PROBATION REVOKED. THEY ENDED UP SPENDING HALF AS MUCH TIME IN PRISON AND WERE 72% LESS LIKELY TO USE DRUGS. THE RESULT IFS HAWAII CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPERTS ACROSS THE NATION.

>> WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE H.O.P.E. MODEL, I WAS SKEPTICAL. MOST CRIMINOLOGISTS ARE.

>> Reporter:ED TO CLEAR IS AN EXPERT ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IN NEW JERSEY. HE SAID SHE WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE OLD MODELS USUALLY DON'T WORK BECAUSE THE THREATS WERE TOO BIG AND NEVER CARRIED OUT. BUT H.O.P.E. HE SAYS, DOES THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

>> WHAT THEY'VE DONE WITH THE H.O.P.E. MODEL HAS BEEN TO RATCHET DOWN THE LEVEL OF PENALTY SO THAT IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO DO AND THEN RATCHET UP THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IF YOU ENGAGE IN CONDUCT, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE PENALTY.

>> Reporter: IT'S SEEN AS FAIR BY THE OFFENDERS.

>> RAPID RESPONSES THAT ARE REASONABLE, THAT ARE UNDERSTOOD TO BE REASONABLE, THAT THE PERSON UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHY IT WAS HAPPENING, HAVE A BEHAVIOR SHAPING, BEHAVIOR CHANGING CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: H.O.P.E.'S SUCCESS IN STEERING OFFENDERS AWAY FROM PRISON WAS SO PROMISING, THAT PROGRAMS MODELED AFTER IT HAVE LAUNCHED IN COURTROOMS IN 17 OTHER STATES. WASHINGTON STATE, FOR EXAMPLE, PUT ITS ENTIRE PAROLE AND PROBATION POPULATION INTO ITS VERSION OF H.O.P.E. AND THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS LAUNCHED H.O.P.E. PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITIES IN FOUR STATES. HERE IN HONOLULU THE PROGRAM IS WORKING FOR PEOPLE LIKE JOHN WHO WAS PICKED UP IN 2006 FOR RESISTING ARREST AND POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINES. HIS CASE WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF LARGER PROBLEMS THAT HAWAII STRUGGLES WITH, HIGH METH USE AND DISPROPORTIONATE INCARCERATION RATES. FIRST HE WAS PUT IN PROBATION. FOR YEARS HE REPEATEDLY MISSED DRUG TESTS AND DIDN'T REPORT.

>> I WASN'T READY TO GIVE UP DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

>> Reporter: IN 2009, HIS FRUSTRATED PROBATION OFFICER PUT HIM IN THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM.

>> AT FIRST I DIDN'T LIKE HIM.

>> Reporter: WHY NOT?

>> HE KEPT PUTTING ME BACK IN JAIL.

>> Reporter: WITHIN MONTHS JUDGE ALM SLAPPED HIM WITH A SHORT DRUG STAY FOR A DIRTY DRUG TEST. THEN THE CALLS.

>> WHEN I HAD TO START CALLING THE COLOR ON THE DAILY BASIS, THAT'S WHEN IT STARTED TURNING AROUND IN MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: WHY?

>> BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE TIMES THAT I CALL. IT WAS TOTALLY UP TO ME TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, WHETHER I WANT TO GO BACK TO JAIL OR I WANT TO JUST HAVE FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: WAS THAT THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WERE REALLY BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

>> OH, TOTALLY, TOTALLY.

>> Reporter: AFTER REPEATED VIOLATIONS AND JAIL STAYS, HE SAYS HE FINALLY LEARNED HIS LESSON. HE COLLECTED INTO A DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM IN 2012 AND HAS BEEN SOBER FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. HE GRADUATED FROM H.O.P.E. LAST SUMMER.

>> AS LONG AS YOU WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

>> Reporter: TODAY HE'S A MENTOR TO OTHERS WHO STRUGGLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE. YOU'RE WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN PRETTY SERIOUS BEHAVIOR THAT COULD SEND THEM TO PRISON FOR YEARS. BUT WITH THE THREAT OF JUST A FEW DAYS IN JAIL, THEY'RE SHAPING UP.

>> IT'S THE DISRUPTIVE NATURE OF THIS PROGRAM. IT'S NOT SOMETHING BAD MIGHT HAPPEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S YOU'RE GOING TO JAIL TODAY. THAT WILL CAUSE THEM TO CHANGE.

>> Reporter: JUDGE ALM SAY IT IS PROGRAM CAN HELP SAVE TAXPAYERS BIG TIME. A PROBATION ON H.O.P.E. COSTS ABOUT $1500 A YEAR. PRISON IN HAWAII COSTS AROUND $46,000. CRITICS SAY THE SWIFT SANCTIONS COME AT A COST. THE STRICTER RULES MEAN MORE WORK FOR PROBATION OFFICERS AND DRUG TESTERS, MOSH STRAIN ON THE LOCAL JAIL AND A BIGGER WORKLOAD ON THE HONOLULU POLICE.

>> IT'S TAXING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BEING ABLE TO LOOK FOR THEM, BEING ABLE TO BRING THEM BACK.

>> Reporter: HONOLULU CITY PROSECUTOR SAYS JUDGES SHOULD PUT MORE PEOPLE IN PRISON FROM THE START. HE THINKS H.O.P.E. KEEPS OFFENDERS ON PLOE BAGS TOO LONG AND ALLOWS TOO MANY CHANCES.

>> WHAT KIND OF CONSEQUENCES DO WE HAVE FOR THIS PROBATIONER IN. WHEN PEOPLE VIOLATE THE CONDITIONS OF PROBATION OR COMMIT CRIMES, THEY NEED TO GO TO PRISON.

>> IS IT BETTER THESE OFFENDERS ARE IN H.O.P.E. PROBATION WHICH IN THEORY HAS MORE OVERSIGHT, MORE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHECKING IN, MORE DRUG TESTING THAN REGULAR PROBATION?

>> JUST BY HAVING THEM DO DRUG TESTING IS NOT SUPERVISION. IT'S ONE FORM OF SUPERVISION, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: NOT ENOUGH HE SAYS, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN RARE, HE'S SEEN ABOUT A HALF DOZEN OFFENDERS ON H.O.P.E. PROBATION CHARGED WITH SERIOUS CRIMES LIKE RAPE AND MURDER SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE IN 2010.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INSTANCES OF PEOPLE COMMITTING VERY SERIOUS CRIMES WHILE PART OF THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM, INCLUDING MURDER. DO THOSE PEOPLE BELONG IN A PROBATION PROGRAM OR SHOULD THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO PRISON TO BEGIN WITH?

>> IF WE ALL HAD CRYSTAL BALLS, THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN SENT TO PRISON. IN THE CASES I'M AWARE OF LIKE THAT, THEY WERE PUT ON PROBATION, SAY, FOR POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF DRUGS. THERE'S NO QUESTION SOME PEOPLE ON H.O.P.E. WILL GET CHARGED WITH CRIMES, SOME PEOPLE ON REGULAR PROBATION WILL BE CHARGED WITH CRIMES. THE PEOPLE ON H.O.P.E. ARE BEING CHARGED WITH CRIMES A LOT LESS OFTEN.

>> Reporter: MANY ARE SHAPING UP AND GETTING OFF PROBATION. THE DAY WE VISITED, FOUR SUCCESSFUL H.O.P.E. PROBATIONERS WERE DISCHARGED.

>> THE MOTION FOR EARLY TERMINATION IS GRANTED. YOU'RE NO LONGER UNDER COURT SUPERVISION BECAUSE YOU'VE SHOWN YOU CAN BE RESPONSIBLE.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO DECIDE, I CAN HAVE A LIFE WITHOUT DRUGS. I CAN HAVE A LIFE WITHOUT COMMITTING CRIMES.

>> BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

>> THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. >>> LEARN ABOUT OTHER ALTERNATIVE PATROL PROGRAMS VISIT NEWSHOUR.PBS.ORG. >>> FOR ALL THE TALK ABOUT GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON, THERE'S GROWING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR A PLAN THAT HAS GOTTEN LITTLE ATTENTION, THAT IS TO CUT OFF PUBLIC FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVENTIONS. MOLLY HOOPER, A REPORTER FOR THE HILL HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE STORY. I SPOKE WITH HER EARLIER FROM WASHINGTON. HOW MUCH PUBLIC FUNDING IS THERE THAT GOES FOR THESE CONVENTIONS AND WHAT ARE THEY PROPOSING TO DO WITH IT?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, AS OF 2012, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE PAID $36 MILLION BETWEEN THE TWO MAJOR PARTY CONVENTIONS, BUT THE MONEY THAT THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WANT TO USE WOULD ACTUALLY BE FUNDING A TEN-YEAR RESEARCH INITIATIVE FOR PEDIATRIC HEALTH ISSUES, AND THAT MONEY WOULD BE $126 MILLION OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME. SO THAT WOULD ENCAPSULATE TWO POLITICAL CONVENTIONS.

>> OKAY. SO RIGHT NOW ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS COME FROM OUR POCKETS AND THE REST FROM SPONSORS?

>> YES, SPONSORS. IT'S ACTUALLY A LOOPHOLE THAT THE PARTIES HAVE FOUND WHERE YOU GO TO THESE CONVENTIONS EVERY FOUR YEARS, SHOW UP IN THE CITY AND THERE'S A HOST COMMITTEE. THAT HOST COMMITTEE CAN TAKE UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM CORPORATE SPONSORS. THE LAW WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SO CORPORATIONS COULD NOT ESSENTIALLY BUY POLITICAL PARTIES. SO YOU SEE MEMBERS UP ON CAPITOL HILL SAYING, YOU KNOW, THESE EVENTS, NUMBER ONE, NOT A LOT OF NEWS IS MADE AT THE EVENTS. THEY'RE FOUR-DAY PEP RALLIES. WHY ARE WE USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PAY FOR IT? IT WON'T BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO RAISE THE MONEY TO MAKE UP FOR THE DIFFERENCE. SO ORIGINAL THINK THIS BILL WAS GOING TO JUST GIVE THE MONEY RIGHT BACK TO THE TREASURY. BUT HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER ERIC CANTOR SAID, WAIT A SECOND, WE CAN USE IT FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCH.

>> SO WHAT ARE THOSE WHO ARE ON THE SIDE OF PUBLIC FINANCING SAY? ARE THEY CONCERNED THIS COULD TURN IN TO THE COKE VERSUS PEPSI CONVENTION?

>> OH, YES. WELL, THEY DON'T LIKE IT TO BEGIN WITH. THEY'RE ACTUALLY SAYING THAT GOP AND DEMOCRATS, THE PEOPLE WHO WANT CORPORATIONS TO ESSENTIALLY COKE V. PEPSI CONVENTION TO HAPPEN, THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS JUST A FIG LEAF. THE PROPONENTS OF ENDING THE PUBLIC FINANCING, ALL THEY'RE DOING IS WRAPPING IT UP IN THIS BILL FOR KIDS RESEARCH WHEN REALLY, IN FACT, IT'S JUST AN AUTHORIZING BILL AND WON'T NECESSARILY APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS FOR THOSE KIDS' RESEARCH INITIALLY.

>> MOLLY HOOPER JOINING US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., A REPORTER FOR THE HILL. THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >>> THIS IS PBS "NEWSHOUR WEEKEND" SUNDAY. >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, NEW THINKING IN BRITAIN ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES AS WELL. HOW TO TREAT PEANUT ALLERGIES IN CHILDREN. NINA NINAR OF ITV NEWS REPORTS.

>> SCHOOL DINNERS, EATING OUT, WERE ALL EXPERIENCES 11-YEAR-OLD ELENA HAD TO APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION. NOW THE VERY FOOD THAT COULD MAKE HER SERIOUSLY ILL HAS HELPED HER EAT WITH CONFIDENCE. FOR THE LAST YEAR SHE'S BEEN FED SMALL DOSES OF PEANUTS TO HELP HER OVER COME THE ALLERGY. NOW ALL BUT GONE ARE THE SYMPTOMS SHE SUFFERED.

>> USUALLY MY LIP SWELLS UP, MY SONG GOES FUZZY, TINGLY AND I START WHEEZING. IF IT DOESN'T GO DOURNGS I COULD DIE OR SOMETHING.

>> >> Reporter: HALF A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.K. HAVE THE PEANUT ALLERGY AND THERE ARE LOTS OF FOODS THEY HAVE TO AVOID FOR FEAR OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL REACTION. RESEARCHERS IN CAMBRIDGE DEVELOPED A FORM OF IMMUNO THERAPY, EXTRACTING THE PROTEIN FROM THE NUTS AND FEEDING SMALL AMOUNTS TO SUFFERERS INCREASING THE DOSE SLOWLY AND BUILDING UP A TOLERANCE TO THE FOOD.

>> THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN TREATMENT FOR OTHER ALLERGIES. WE KNOW IT WORKS. WE'VE BEEN RELUCTANT UNTIL RECENTLY TO TRY THIS WITH FOODS, ESPECIALLY PEANUTS BECAUSE OF THE PERCEPTION THAT THIS IS A REALLY SEVERE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: THE STUDY INVOLVED 99 YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 7-16. BY THE END, UP TO 90% OF PARTICIPANTS COULD TOLERATE 800 MILLIGRAMS OF PEANUT PROTEIN. THAT'S A EQUIVALENT OF EATING FIVE PEANUTS A DAY. RESEARCHERS ARE NOW PLANNING TO OPEN A SPECIAL CLINIC HERE AT THE HOSPITAL WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. BUT FURTHER TRIALS ARE NEEDED, AND IT COULD BE ANOTHER FIVE YEARS BEFORE TREATMENT IS MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE. >>> DON'T FORGET TO JOIN GWEN IFILL AND JUDY LIVE AND ON AIR ON THE NEWS HOUR. THAT'S IT FOR EDITION OF PBS "NEWSHOUR WEEKEND." THANKS FOR WATCHING. >>> PBS "NEWSHOUR WEEKEND" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY LOUIS B. AND LOUISE HIRSCHFELD CULLMAN, JUDY AND JOSH WESTON, JOUS B. HAIL, THE WALLACH FAMILY IN MEMORY OF MIRIAM AND IRA D. WALLACH. THE CHERYL AND PHILLIP MILSTEIN FAMILY, BERNARD AND IRENE SCHWARTZ, ROSALIND P. WALTERS. PACIFIC OOH ISLANDERS AND COMMUNICATIONS. CORPORATE FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY MUTUAL OF AMERICA DESIGNING INDIVIDUALIZED CUSTOM AND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY -- AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. Tonight... MAN: I was like a soldier in a nonviolent army. MAN (archival): We talk about it here as separation of the races. Just sit on the front of a bus, people could try to burn you to death. We'll take hitting, we'll take beating, we're willing to accept death. MAN: Your parents tell you, "Don't start something that you can't finish. Finish it." "Freedom Riders," on American Experience. Captioning sponsored by LIBERTY MUTUAL, the ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION, the CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING and VIEWERS LIKE YOU. NASA ANNOUNCER: Lift-off, the clock is running. HELICOPTER PILOT (on radio): We have mass casualties up here. RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER: Schmeling is down!