Hope & Reform at the Arkansas Faith Recovery Conference

The Clarksville High School Fine Arts Center became a gathering place of hope and transformation as it hosted the Arkansas Faith Recovery Conference. The event brought together vendors, speakers, and community members united in a common purpose: exploring how faith and recovery can work hand-in-hand to bring lasting change.

The conference welcomed individuals already walking in recovery as well as those seeking to serve through recovery ministries. Attendees connected with organizations offering practical tools, spiritual guidance, and resources, reinforcing the message that recovery is not only possible, but sustainable when both faith and support systems are present.

One of the central moments of the day came during a re-entry panel featuring Judge Sarah Capp, District Court Judge for Arkansas’ 7th Judicial District. Judge Capp is recognized for her pioneering role in developing the Smart Justice District Court Initiative, which integrates structured supportive services at one of the earliest intercepts in the justice system, the district court.

When asked about lessons learned in balancing accountability and compassion, Judge Capp’s response struck a chord.

“The most important lesson I’ve learned is that accountability has to be combined with compassion. In court, compassion means giving someone an opportunity — a chance to make a better decision and avoid the cycle of jail and prison. When you pair accountability with opportunity, you keep your community safe not just for today, but for the long haul.

In my courtroom, what people feel most is hope. When we show them that there are alternatives and connect them with services that help them get back on their feet, it stops the revolving door of returning to court over and over again. That hope is what allows someone to believe they really can live a different kind of life.”

Judge Capp also emphasized the critical importance of reform-oriented approaches, speaking candidly about the pressures facing Arkansas courts and communities.

“If we do not start reforming, then we don’t have any other option right now. Our prisons are full, our jails are busting at the seams, drugs and violence are tearing families apart, and judges are being asked to make decisions that go far beyond a courtroom.

We have to have judges who are tough, yes, but also wise. Wise to push for change because we can’t keep doing what we’re doing. Arkansas has one of the highest incarceration rates in the nation and one of the highest crime rates as well. What’s happening right now is that we’re not getting to the root of what’s causing this. We have to catch people at the court level and try to pair them with services to stop whatever it is that caused them to get there — whether that be drugs, alcohol, mental health issues, education, or job training."

"As a judge, you’ve got the facts and you’ve got the law. With that defendant in front of me, I have to look at that individual person and ask the question of what is it they need? It’s a deep responsibility that I have. The justice system needs to ask itself, what can I do to try to pair them with whatever service they need to stop that cycle that’s causing so many problems and the ripple effect it has on the community and their families.”

Judge Capp’s words captured the spirit of the day: that real transformation requires systems to recognize the humanity of those they serve. By pairing accountability with compassion and justice with opportunity, Arkansas can move toward a future where recovery is not the exception, but the expectation.

The Arkansas Faith Recovery Conference concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, leaving participants with a clear message: faith, when paired with action, is a powerful force for healing, hope, and transformation.