In the evolving landscape of criminal justice reform, finding effective alternatives to traditional sentencing is more crucial than ever. The District Court Diversion Roadmap is a comprehensive guide designed to help district courts in Arkansas develop and implement diversion programs that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. This roadmap is intended to empower courts and communities to create a more just and effective system for all.
This roadmap, created through a collaboration between the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and Restore Hope Arkansas under the Incarceration: Recidivism, Reentry, and Reunification (iR3) program, reflects the collective wisdom of stakeholders across Arkansas’s criminal justice ecosystem. It is designed to transform how district courts in Arkansas approach justice, offering alternative sentencing solutions tailored to communities’ unique needs.
In Arkansas, recidivism is defined as a criminal act that results in a person’s rearrest, reconviction, or return to incarceration within three years of their release from custody. This includes a new sentence, a revocation of parole, or post-release supervision.
Diversion programs offer a powerful alternative to traditional detention, aiming to address the root causes of criminal behavior and prevent recidivism. However, for these programs to have a lasting impact, they must be well-organized, thoughtfully planned, and consistently supported. The District Court Diversion Roadmap was created with this goal in mind. It provides a structured framework that guides the implementation of alternative sentencing programs within Arkansas’s district courts.
The Smart Justice – District Court Pretrial Initiative exemplifies the District Court Diversion Roadmap in action. This initiative is a new, rehabilitation-focused program launched in Arkansas, targeting early intervention for individuals appearing in district court. By focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the program aims to reduce recidivism and create lasting, positive change in participants’ lives.
“The Smart Justice – District Court Pretrial Initiative focuses on intervening early in an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system, aiming to prevent exacerbating issues related to prolonged substance use and challenges faced by those lacking necessary resources. This initiative stems from over three years of dedication from extraordinary leaders across Arkansas with the common goal of addressing critical issues presented in district courts. These leaders truly deserve recognition for their commitment and efforts to advocate for improvements in the criminal justice system.”
Janet Hawley, District Court Pretrial Initative Program Manager
The initiative is based on the idea that many individuals who end up in prison initially pass through district courts for misdemeanor offenses. As Paul Chapman, Executive Director of Restore Hope Arkansas, explains, the goal is to “go upstream” by partnering with district courts to intervene early before individuals escalate from misdemeanors to more serious offenses. This proactive approach aims to provide individuals with the support and resources they need to correct course and avoid further entanglement in the criminal justice system.
The program officially kicked off in June 2024 in Pope County, led by Judge Clayton McCall, who understands the unique role district courts play in early-stage criminal cases. “For most of the population, their first interaction with court and sometimes their only interaction with court is through district court,” Judge McCall explains. He believes this initiative has the potential to be a game-changer because “the people that are involved, they want to see the community improve, they want to see people succeed, and they’re willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work and get it done.”
The initiative has already shown promising results as participants receive tailored interventions that address their specific needs, leading to noticeable improvements in their lives. Hawley is optimistic about the future, stating, “As we launch across Arkansas, starting in five counties and expanding to more in the latter half of 2024, this initiative empowers courts and communities to provide holistic support and foster sustainable positive outcomes.”
The Smart Justice Pretrial Initiative’s initial success is just the beginning. The District Court Diversion Roadmap is designed to be adaptable and scalable, allowing other district courts across Arkansas to implement similar programs. As the initiative expands to more counties throughout 2024, it will continue to empower courts and communities to create meaningful change.
The roadmap also serves as a call to action for other district courts. By following this guide, courts can implement diversion programs specifically suited to their community’s needs, ensuring that justice is served in a way that is fair, compassionate, and effective.
Click here to learn more about the impact of the Incarceration: Recidivism, Reentry, and Reunification (iR3) program.
