A new initiative underway in two Arkansas counties aims to proactively address the reasons people commit crimes and prevent their criminal behavior from escalating into more serious offenses.
The Smart Justice District Court Initiative officially launched in Garland County in Arkansas on Sept. 27, 2024. It is also underway in Pope County.
“This initiative will help us address the many reasons why people keep committing crimes, even beyond drug addiction. It also addresses the other reasons like food insecurity, housing shortages, and unemployment,” said Garland County District Judge Joe Graham, speaking at the launch of the initiative held at Ouachita Behavioral Health in Hot Springs.
The Smart Justice District Court Initiative, which focuses on alternative sentencing, will partner with the 100 Families Initiative to offer this high level of comprehensive support to participants. The 100 Families Initiative is currently operating in 18 Arkansas counties and helps families move from crisis to stability and on to career using case management software that connects area service providers.
“Everything we are doing with the Smart Justice District Court Initiative is ultimately to reduce recidivism and we’re very excited about this program’s ability to do that,” added Judge Graham, noting that the goal is to prevent reconviction and reincarceration.
Michelle Lawrence, the prosecuting attorney for the 18th East Judicial District in Arkansas, stressed that the initiative's impact extends well beyond benefiting individuals—it creates a powerful ripple effect.
“It’s not just the person who’s committed the crime that we’re looking at and trying to help. There’s a whole family, and children, and other individuals in their life that are probably suffering because of the criminal acts that person is committing. I think that we can really get in on the ground level before things get worse and help both the individual and their family.”
Janet Hawley, who oversees the initiative, said the program is still in its infancy and will be carefully assessed along the way. She said ten counties in Arkansas will be part of the pilot program, which is funded by the Arkansas attorney general’s office.
“Providing wraparound services is not something that we’ve traditionally seen happening with other forms of alternative sentencing. In the court system, we have tended to focus solely on trying to address substance use or mental health," said Hawley. "Through this initiative, we will be able to provide additional services for housing, financial stability, food security, parenting, and a list of other care areas. Those are the areas that seemingly have gone unnoticed in the past. When all of those key areas are addressed, it will reduce the likelihood that a person will reoffend even more.”
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