The Opportunity in District Courts
01/10/23 • 32 min
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Some District Court Judges are taking steps to provide access to services that address root issues that might lead to incarceration and/or foster care for their children.
Season 2 focuses on how these courts are improving public safety by addressing problems 'upstream' from felony crime and/or foster care. It is our hope that these stories will inspire a movement to make Community Diversion common in Arkansas' District Courts.
Some data pulled from existing programs show the impact to individuals. This data is only a sample of the participants in the courts known to us. A formal pilot is desired to use the same metrics to assess impact and ROI of Diversion programs.
Of 529 families served in the past three years where the parent(s) had their driver's license suspended due to a court issue,
31% also had a child welfare case of some kind.
- Families that are struggling to pay court fees and fines often find themselves in additional trouble with child welfare systems. One crisis often leads to another.
61% were unemployed with no income from any source.
- Payment of fees or fines is exceedingly difficult and usually a lower priority than shelter, food, or escape through substances.
31% had misused drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days and were in need of recovery support
Engagement by case managers and connection to community provides had the following outcomes:
48% decrease in the percentage of families in legal crisis with a warrant out for their arrest.
Almost 100 of these parents were able to completely stabilize their legal situation, becoming current on their fees and fines.
155% increased transportation stability (reliable/legal transportation).
89% increase in full-time employment.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Some District Court Judges are taking steps to provide access to services that address root issues that might lead to incarceration and/or foster care for their children.
Season 2 focuses on how these courts are improving public safety by addressing problems 'upstream' from felony crime and/or foster care. It is our hope that these stories will inspire a movement to make Community Diversion common in Arkansas' District Courts.
Some data pulled from existing programs show the impact to individuals. This data is only a sample of the participants in the courts known to us. A formal pilot is desired to use the same metrics to assess impact and ROI of Diversion programs.
Of 529 families served in the past three years where the parent(s) had their driver's license suspended due to a court issue,
31% also had a child welfare case of some kind.
- Families that are struggling to pay court fees and fines often find themselves in additional trouble with child welfare systems. One crisis often leads to another.
61% were unemployed with no income from any source.
- Payment of fees or fines is exceedingly difficult and usually a lower priority than shelter, food, or escape through substances.
31% had misused drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days and were in need of recovery support
Engagement by case managers and connection to community provides had the following outcomes:
48% decrease in the percentage of families in legal crisis with a warrant out for their arrest.
Almost 100 of these parents were able to completely stabilize their legal situation, becoming current on their fees and fines.
155% increased transportation stability (reliable/legal transportation).
89% increase in full-time employment.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Previous Episode
So What Works? A Way Forward.
All communities work on criminal justice and child welfare issues but few have real systems change. You may have the right people and organizations, but if you don't get 5 things right you'll not make the change you're working so hard to make. In the season one final episode we discuss the impact a growing number of Arkansas communities are having by implementing the collective impact methodology of system change.
Season 1 of SmartJustice: To improve outcomes in complex problems around child welfare, incarceration, and crime we journey upstream to examine the Family as the institution we should
Interviewed:
Fort Smith PD Chief Danny Baker
Circuit Court Judge Shanice Johnson
Restore Hope Case Manager Courtnee Harlan
Restore Hope A.D. of Community Development Karen Phillips
100 Families White Co Coordinator Dana Baker
Empowering My Environment cofounder Charles Newsom
Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman
Narrator Charles Newsom
Producer Renie Rule
Producer Ed Lowry
"A change of perspective is worth 80 IQ points." - Alan Kay
Through SmartJustice we explore issues from new perspectives in pursuit of better communities and better outcomes.
Please consider a donation to support work like this in the future. Thank you!
https://smartjustice.supercast.com
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Next Episode
Why District Court? Going Upstream.
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care.
In this episode we talk with Judges who operate diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Smart Justice - The Opportunity in District Courts
Transcript
00;00;06;03 - 00;00;28;14
Ed Lowry
Imagine a scene a group of friends is taking a hike along a stream. Suddenly, the piece of nature is disrupted by the cries of an infant. Frantically, the group searches and realizes the baby is floating down the rushing river. Splashing into the water, the group forms a chain, takes hold of the baby, and with no little effort to brings the child safe to shore.
00;00;28;27 - 00;00;58;17
Ed Lowry
But no sooner are they on the bank, than another
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