In the criminal justice system, we see a revolving door of defendants who are incarcerated, then released, only to re-offend. This never-ending cycle becomes a merry-go-round of misdemeanor and felony offenses. Further, national statistics reflect the correlation between high school dropout rates and incarceration rates. Curbing this cycle should be one of our nation’s highest priorities in the 21st century. Ending this cycle must be intentional, with education as the foundation, and reduced recidivism, the goal.
In 2011, upon assuming the role of DeKalb County district attorney, I worked with Magistrate Court judges and the Public Defender’s Office to stop that revolving door. Our Anti-Recidivism Court was birthed from a notion that defendants, in some specific cases, require a second chance to make the right decision.
What we often find are individuals who pay their debt to society revert back to illegal behavior because they cannot secure stable employment. They lack education, opportunity and personal drive to excel. The fact is, two-thirds of offenders between the ages of 16 to 25 will be re-arrested within three years. Knowing this, I wanted to disrupt the cycle of recidivism, especially for young people.
Can we save everyone? No. However, since the court’s creation, 22 participants have had a unique opportunity, which for them has slowed, if not stopped, the revolving door. This program offers first-time, non-violent offenders ages 17 to 25 a second chance at life. It should not be confused with a “get-out-of-jail” pass for their mistakes.
Currently, 20 participants are enrolled in the year-long Anti-Recidivism Court. They report to private probation, perform community service, undergo random drug testing, report to monthly compliance hearings, and abide by a curfew with electronic monitoring. Additionally, they must pay any restitution involved with their arrests, enroll in an academic program if they have not obtained a high school diploma or GED, and attend behavior modification classes.
The Anti-Recidivism Court is rigorous; many will not complete the program. Non-compliant individuals are sent back to jail, and their cases are immediately scheduled for prosecution in Superior Court. However, at the end of our 12-month program, participants who successfully meet all requirements will have their cases dismissed and their records expunged.
Many of us have childhood friends or relatives who made poor decisions, just like our graduates. Those choices landed them behind bars or with criminal records. These mistakes became their scarlet letter, a mark that might follow them for life and potentially tarnish their promising future.
Anti-Recidivism Court intervenes in the lives of these young adults by addressing recidivism for those who want to become better adults.
Robert D. James is DeKalb County district attorney.
