Alternative to Incarceration
In 2019, in partnership with justice stakeholders in Dallas and Williamson Counties, LSJA launched two pilot programs to test the efficacy of the TJ Model. Both counties implemented the Model within the traditional specialty court structure rather than a true alternative to incarceration.
Nonetheless, LSJA and its research partners continue to monitor the effectiveness of this Model as implemented and modified in both counties.
LSJA launched the Transformative Justice model in Dallas County in partnership with the Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP), establishing the Rehabilitative Interventions and Supports for Emerging Adults (RISE) Program (now Transformative Justice of Williamson County).
We believe that collective impact is the key to systems change.
Emerging adults in Dallas and Williamson counties who enter the criminal legal system are given the choice to opt into the SCCIP or RISE program rather than being adjudicated in an adult court (the traditional path). Once in the program, a needs assessment is conducted to identify the specific challenges that contributed to their legal system involvement. Case managers then work with participants to develop an individual treatment and service plan and connect them with community resources and supports to address the needs identified.
Because we believe that collective impact is the key to systems change, LSJA trained the county program managers to develop detailed transition plans and empowered local organizations to take leadership roles in the SCCIP and RISE programs. Once the pilots were fully operational, our role shifted from program management to monitoring.
During LSJA’s program management, 62% of clients have successfully completed the program with 12% still currently working toward graduation. Their recidivism rate is just 17%, compared to 75% for those not in the program.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Through our Youth Sentencing Project, we provide direct strategic litigation on behalf of youth who were tried in the adult criminal legal system and given extremely long prison sentences, particularly those sentenced to life without parole.
Youth should be held accountable for their wrongdoing in developmentally appropriate ways that consider their age, individual characteristics, and specific circumstances of their cases.
Our staff litigators take the lead on a limited number of cases every year, selecting those that have the potential to influence system-wide change. Last year, LSJA was involved in 13 cases challenging the transfer of youth (either as lead counsel or in a technical support role) and won 12 of these cases.
