Vera Institute of Justice’s Post

I was recently speaking with a DA's office in a city considered a "blue dot in a red state." They said where they are diversion is considered a bad word. It really shouldn't be. Diversion is an opportunity. Diverting people away from a court process and into a community-based program is a model that can leave people better off than they were at the time of arrest. It can be the tool that makes our communities safer. In my years as a public defender I witnessed how people's lives were changed because of their positive experience in a well-executed diversion program. Not only did people avoid having the scar of a conviction on their record, or spend years in prison or under state supervision, but people evolved in who they were. They learned more about themselves and the options they could choose in life. In NY where I practiced, orgs like The Fortune Society, Center for Justice Innovation, and The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES) created opportunities for people to get support, meet mentors and peers they could learn from, and try out new skills. It’s certainly more than what they would've gained just standing next to me in a courtroom. Diversion programing can be powerful and transformative for participants. Read about how one of our team's partner jurisdictions is changing lives for young people in HI.

The Transformative Impact of Restorative Justice on Youth: A Model to Follow It is inspiring to read about Hale Ōpio’s Teen Court program in Kauai, a clear example of how restorative justice and personalized interventions can make a real difference in the lives of young people. This program not only diverts youth from the criminal justice system but also provides them with the necessary support to build a more stable and promising future. In a system that often focuses on punishment, it is crucial to implement solutions tailored to the specific needs of young people, providing them with tools and resources that truly allow them to thrive. Addressing their needs in a comprehensive and personalized way is essential to reducing recidivism and promoting true justice. This program is a powerful reminder that community safety is strengthened when we prioritize the well-being and development of our youth, rather than just focusing on punishment. #TeenCourt #YouthEmpowerment #RestorativeJustice #CommunitySafety #CriminalJusticeReform #YouthSupport #DiversionPrograms #JuvenileJustice #coach

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. Hale `Ōpio, a nonprofit organization in Kaua`i, #Hawaii is helping end cycles of incarceration by successfully diverting hundreds of young people from prosecution. Hale `Ōpio’s Teen Court program is a model of what a successful and effective diversion program looks like: accessible programs, active engagement with the local community, and support services like job training, financial literacy classes, and substance use treatment. Prosecutors and organizations that have traditionally gone the route of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration need to instead make diversion programs equitable, place outcomes and solutions at the center of the legal system, and look to this powerful tool as one that can truly build safety. https://lnkd.in/ehWtaC_B

Noble Lauriate Daniel Kahneman, who died yesterday, cited the foster care system as being particularly subject to Noise—which is randomness in decisionmaking that affects outcomes. For example, his bestselling 2021 book “Noise” asks, “Suppose that a child custody agency treats young children very differently, depending on whether one or another employee is assigned to the case. How is it acceptable that a child’s life and future depend on that lottery?” It is a seldom addressed fact that two identically situated families may have very different outcomes if their cases are assigned to different courtrooms with different lawyers and social workers. Or different outcomes if their cases are heard on different days of the week. As “Noise” observes, “A study of thousands of juvenile court decisions found that when the local football team loses a game on the weekend, the judges make harsher decisions on the Monday (and, to a lesser extent, for the rest of the week).” The book offers suggestions for reducing the effects of Noise. And then there is the problem of different outcomes depending on the randomness of whether a family resides in one county or another. Here is reporting on this issue in juvenile justice cases:

Great focus on Koori Courts in the Guardian today, the incarceration of children and youth should only ever be last resort measure, unnecessary incarceration is futile as well as costly, also a violation of the UN Convention on Child rights. Unfortunately WA still has mandatory detention laws (for property crime) on books which explains why we have double the national rate of Indigenous youth incarcerations. If we're serious about youth justice, this law must be repealed. https://lnkd.in/gGune-ZB #humanrighs #childrights #youthjustice #indigenouspeoples #humanrightsviolation #justice #societyandculture #politics

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

Here's an interesting article about a program that diverts youth in Hawaii away from criminal prosecution and towards support programs. The preliminary findings of an ongoing evaluation conducted by Vera show that just 3.4 percent of participants between March 2020 and April 2023 were charged with new cases within a year of entering the program. That low recidivism rate stands in contrast to the nearly 21 percent recidivism rate for young people not diverted to the Teen Court program.

King County has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to develop community alternatives to secure youth detention. The funding will support the planning and implementation phase of the "Building Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success" initiative, which aims to prevent youth from entering the juvenile legal system and divert them from further involvement. The initiative focuses on racial equity and pro-equity policies, as Black youth are disproportionately represented in detention centers. The continuum of care approach supports a network of services and opportunities to foster positive youth development and prevent youth from entering the juvenile legal system. The initiative is community-driven, with a focus on mentoring, after-school programs, and other prosocial activities to change the negative trajectory of youth. The funding will support the implementation of these programs, which have been proven to reduce youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. The initiative is a step towards ending the school-to-prison pipeline and creating better outcomes for young people and safer communities for everyone. It's a testament to the power of community-led initiatives and the importance of addressing the underlying issues that lead to youth entering the juvenile legal system. What are your thoughts on this initiative? Do you believe community-based alternatives can effectively reduce youth involvement in the juvenile justice system?

Individuals reentering the community after prison can face a host of complex challenges. Social support appears to be an important factor in helping recently released men and women by promoting adjustment and success in multiple areas of life. However, social support during the reentry is not well understood in terms of what types of support help individuals, who can best provide this support, how certain aspects of social support might be harmful, and pathways through which support helps individuals. This qualitative study explores four common types of social support that have been identified in the research literature: emotional, instrumental, informational, and companionship. Source: Kjellstrand, J., Clark, M., Caffery, C. et al. Reentering the Community after Prison: Perspectives on the Role and Importance of Social Support.

In 2014, California voters passed #Prop47, a groundbreaking measure that has helped decrease the state’s incarcerated population over the last decade and redirected funds to services that promote long-term public safety. Now, Proposition 36 is on the ballot, and it seeks to undo much of that progress. If passed, Prop 36 would increase penalties for crimes that Prop 47 downgraded, leading to longer sentences for nonviolent offenses and potentially reversing the gains made in reducing mass incarceration. Californians: before you cast your vote, take a moment to read our in-depth explainer on Prop 36 and how it would hold Californians back from a safer, more equitable future.