Project LEAP

The Alabama 4th Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Program (FJCCCP), is a local adult probation services organization serving multiple counties in rural Alabama.  The program has been operational since 2004.  The program currently serves fives counties: Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox; four of which are designated qualified opportunity zones.  Unemployment is a predictor of recidivism to criminal behavior.  Persons in poverty account for 21.8% - 35.3% of the population.  The median income across all counties is $28,850 and moderately below the national average of $53,482.  Poverty makes the participants vulnerable.  Little to no income decreases the ability to be a productive member of society.  Non-violent crime, 45%-97% across all counties exceeds the state average of 43% and in one instance is doubled.  Each of the counties within this catchment exceeds the violent crime rate as compared to the national average of 22.7%.  Without changes to these factors, participants will represent one or more of these statistics.  To that end, FJCCCP proposes to serve 200 adult non-violent offenders as a means of diversion from sentencing.  Participants will receive assessment, case management, evidence based cognitive based face to face small groups, drug testing, supervision and monitoring, GED, employability training, workforce development through occupational skills training, and employment referral.  Participants will have access to counseling, recovery supports, parenting skills, trauma services, and community resources.  Participants will be matched for services based on a risk assessment.  To maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system, we will ensure strict defendant accountability, intense supervision, responsibility of defendant's actions, payments of court costs and victim restitution, community service and sobriety checks.  Partnerships include criminal justice, mental health, education, substance abuse, vocational, and employers.