I ran across something you need to know about if you do not already. In the case of Inouye v. Kemna, 504 F.3d 705 (9th. Cir. 2007) October 3, 2007 it outlines that an agent of the state can not force someone to attend AA or NA programs against his will. Attendance in these programs may not be coerced by the state.
The moral of this case for Montana is that Probation and Parole officers may:
- recommend that an offender attend AA/NA
- strongly suggest that an offender attend AA/NA
- advise an offender that AA/NA attendance may be the only way they can maintain sobriety
- advocate AA/NA attendance as the only program that has worked for many offenders
Montana Probation and Parole officers may not:
- demand or order that an offender attend AA/NA
- violate an offender for the sole reason being that they have not attended AA/NA
Sam Johnson -Shelby
