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Philadelphia Treatment Court gives a 'second chance'

Albert Hong

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, people facing felony drug charges can opt for a yearlong program in a treatment court where their progress is monitored to ensure they avoid substance use, get treatment and stay in contact with their case managers. Judges presiding over the court work with those who miss those goals to help them reflect on how they can graduate, even if there are stumbles along the way. Those who successfully complete the program can work to get the felonies expunged from their records.

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STARS Program Helps Drug Court, Families Align

John Kelly

May 04, 2017 |

The Chronicle of Social Change |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services arose from the need to improve the outcomes of drug addicted parents and their children, such as increasing reunification statistics. STARS employs case workers who have previously been drug addicted, and can provide immediate support and services such as meeting with the participant, accessing treatment options, and drug screening.

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Battling Meth: A Rural Montana County is on the Frontline of National Foster Care Surge

Daniel Heimpel

April 28, 2017 |

The Chronicle of Social Change |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lake County, Montana

The drug crisis has reached new extremes in many parts of the country, as meth and opioids continue to tear families apart and funnel even more children into an already-strapped foster care system. In rural Montana, law enforcement and communities are trying a new approach to battling drug addiction, focusing on supportive family counseling and "drug courts" to help treat - rather than imprison - those struggling with addiction. In Lake County, Family Drug Treatment Courts are working to divert addicts from the vicious cycle and keep more families together.

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Nueces County judge aims for reform with domestic violence court

Krista M Torralva

April 22, 2017 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Corpus Christi, Texas

Judge Inna Klein and probation officers from The Community Supervision and Corrections Department are bringing domestic violence reform to Nueces County. By taking more aggressive approaches toward supervision and accountability, and by focusing on rehabilitative services for offenders, they hope to break the cycles of violence.

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Has a bold reform plan helped to shrink Philly's prison population?

David Gambacorta Samantha Melamed

April 12, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, but with a $3.5 million McArthur Foundation grant the city has used several initiatives to change that. The efforts appear to be working, with the number of inmates falling by 12 percent over one year. Programs include getting addicts treatment instead of more jail time, working to release those who cannot afford bail ahead of a trial and making attorneys more available for those who want to seek early parole.

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This former Philadelphia cop had an incredibly simple plan to keep kids out of prison: Don't arrest them.

Molly McCluskey

March 30, 2017 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The zero-tolerance of Philadelphia's school system towards even minor infractions from students was creating a detrimental school-to-prison pipeline that was doing more long term harm to youth than good. But one former officer took the initiative to break the cycle, founding the Police School Diversion Program to drastically reduce arrests and offer students supportive services such as counseling instead, helping create a more constructive environment for children, educators, and officers alike.

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Even in Texas, Mass Imprisonment Is Going Out of Style

Tina Rosenberg

February 14, 2017 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

In Texas, Mass-Incarceration is becoming a surprising hub of bi-partisan reform. By finding common ground, and brainstorming new solutions and alternatives to mass incarceration, the state has seen a drop in incarceration and crime rates.

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Could this one simple idea stop the revolving door to prison?

Samantha Melamed

February 14, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, “500 men and about 10 women juvenile lifers who have been locked away for decades” will be released due to a recent Supreme Court decision that said it was unconstitutional for judges to strike automatic life-without-parole sentence for juveniles. Unfortunately, recidivism rates show that “ 60 percent of people are locked up again within three years of being released.” However, pairing a former prisoner with a mentor is an old school solution that has been proven to be successful. Studies show “participants who had mentors were twice as likely to find jobs and 39 percent less likely to reci

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America Beyond Detention: Taking Shelter

Gus Bova

January 30, 2017 |

Texas Observer |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

Three Part Series, "America Beyond Detention": For decades, immigrant advocates have argued that the federal government should increase the use of residential shelters - like Casa Marianella in Austin - as an alternative to detention. The shelters are generally less expensive, treat immigrants more humanely, and are better equipped to integrate people into their new communities.

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Mercer County officials discuss Mental Health Court to curb violence

Penny Ray

January 01, 2017 |

The Trentonian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Trenton, New Jersey

Research has shown that criminal activity is often a result of a person with a mental illness falling into substance abuse and jail time does nothing to help a person’s illness. To lower the number of people with a mental illness in the criminal justice system, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office have been practicing an “informal Mental Health Court,” where defendants are put in a life coaching program instead of jail.

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