Public Defender Counseling Services to Reduce Recidivism

Many defendants have a difficult time completing the conditions of their sentence due to cost, accessibility to both counseling and community service opportunities, transportation, jobs, etc.  Failure to successfully complete the conditions of the sentence may result in incarceration, as well as increase the rates of recidivism.  The grant proposal for the $175,000 is for two social worker positions in the Public Defender’s Office. The social workers' role would be helping the defendant overcome these obstacles.   One of the Social Workers will be placed with the Domestic Violence team, and one Social Worker will be placed with the DUI team within the Public Defender’s Office.