Shannon McCormick Aquino’s Post

To best support our most vulnerable population, criminal justice reform must focus on the true objective: the long-term improvement of human conditions and behavior This is part four of a five-part series addressing homelessness from Cicero Founder and CEO, Randy Shumway.

Providing the tools and resource to individuals can mean the success or failure in the future.

Below you’ll find the second in our two-part blog series focused on the Criminal Justice Bill. Here, we’re looking beyond the provisions of the bill itself, and exploring the devastating consequences it will have for us as a society if it’s passed into law. I can only hope that the many calls for this bill to be resigned to history where it belongs will be heard. Take a look. #blog #CriminalJusticeBill #homelessness

Millions of dollars are being allocated across Oklahoma to support community-based diversion and treatment programs, yet over half of the counties have not applied for these funds. Damion Shade, executive director of Oklahomans For Criminal Justice Reform, attributed this to confusion and skepticism among county officials about the fund's availability. #Oklahoma #MentalHealth #CommunityPrograms #CriminalJusticeReform #PublicPolicy #RuralDevelopment #SubstanceAbuseTreatment #DiversionPrograms

Early intervention missing out again. We are just putting a band-aid on a broken leg!! Tom Allsop speaks so clearly about this in his interview, that although we have to be responding now, if we don't also invest heavily in early intervention, Qld will never go anywhere. The gravitational pull of the systems (QPS, Child Safety, Youth Justice) are so strong that once you are close, it is impossible to pull away. Working in this sector I have been shouting this as loud as I could for as long as I can I feel I have no voice left. Where is the funding for early intervention programs? We are here ready to run them and jump head first into making them successful. We want this to work for QLD, for communities, and to keep the vulnerable out of the gravitational pull of these systems.

Diversion programs are among the most powerful tools prosecutors and organizations can use to build safety in communities. In partnership with Hale ‘Ōpio, a nonprofit organization in Kaua`i, #Hawaii, the county’s Office of the Prosecuting Attorney (OPA) has successfully diverted hundreds of young people from criminal prosecution. Their model prioritizes support and access for all program participants, deviating from the traditional arrest, prosecution, and incarceration cycle. Prosecuting anyone—particularly a young person—for an alleged crime does not ensure that they will not face a criminal charge again down the line. In fact, every year spent in prison increases a person’s chance of future arrest and incarceration and decreases their likelihood of graduating high school. As diversion programs gain traction nationwide, prosecutors and organizations can look to Hale ‘Ōpio and Kaua`i's OPA as a blueprint for how to make programs more accessible, equitable, and use this tool—not prosecution—to build safety. https://lnkd.in/ehWtaC_B

Worth a listen. Tom Allsop beautifully articulates that the govt must do more. Yes, we need justice responses but we must invest in prevention & early intervention to divert crime from occurring in the first place or nothing will change. Queensland deserves better & we must hold our politicians to account. I could not agree more. We need govt to make gutsy long term investments that will pay off beyond election cycles not reactionary responses that fail to address the root cause.

Anthony Muhammad’s powerful op-ed not only illustrates the profound capacity for personal transformation but also underscores the invaluable work of organizations like The Center in fostering an environment where such transformations are recognized and supported. Muhammad’s journey from a life sentence to becoming a beacon of hope and change in his community is a testament to the belief that individuals are indeed more than their worst actions. His engagement with Baltimore Brothers, We Our Us, and the Maryland Parole Partnership exemplifies the crucial role of mentorship, community engagement, and legal advocacy in rehabilitating and reintegrating those who have been incarcerated. The Center champions these same ideals, emphasizing the importance of seeing potential and possibility in every individual. Muhammad’s story aligns with The Center’s commitment to creating pathways for redemption and reformation, highlighting the effectiveness of supportive, community-based approaches over punitive measures. His work as a "Credible Messenger" and "Violence Interrupter" not only aids in crime reduction but also builds stronger, more resilient communities. This op-ed serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of empathy, support, and the belief in the possibility of change. It reinforces The Center’s ideology that with the right opportunities and resources, individuals can turn their lives around and make significant contributions to society. Muhammad’s story is a clear call to action to support policies and practices that facilitate this kind of positive change, demonstrating that redemption is not only possible but also beneficial to the community at large. Let’s continue to support and amplify efforts that enable transformation and reintegration for the betterment of all. #Repairtheharm https://lnkd.in/gPrphx_E

“When people exit the justice system, they don’t often have access to housing and other critical reintegration supports. Because of that, they end up sleeping on the streets, relying on costly emergency services like the ER and potentially ending up back in the justice system. From a public safety perspective, it serves us best to ensure folks leaving corrections have a place to stay.” Research consistently shows that having a stable place to live upon release is one of the most important factors in preventing re-offense. With a safe and consistent living environment, individuals can focus on their recovery and personal development, reducing the pressures that may lead them back to criminal activity. Connecting people leaving the justice system with housing not only aids in their successful reintegration but also benefits society by lowering costs, enhancing public safety, and promoting overall well-being. #HousingFirst #JusticeReform #Reintegration #PublicSafety

This #GivingTuesday, I challenge you to invest in formerly incarcerated leaders transforming the criminal justice system. I'm honored to have my OpEd highlighting the importance of Giving Local to organizations led by those most impacted by the systems we seek to change featured in The Hill.    We know what our current system delivers: inhumane tactics that do little or nothing to improve public and personal safety yet cost the country billions. We must reimagine a nation that prioritizes safety and justice for all. These leaders are building a mosaic of desperately needed solutions to create an approach to justice that serves everyone equally and leads to restoration rather than destruction.   #GiveLocal #GivingTuesday