Published on safetyandjusticechallenge.org on April 13, 2016

Excerpt:

“20 DIVERSE COMMUNITIES RECEIVE MACARTHUR SUPPORT TO REDUCE JAIL POPULATIONS, IMPROVE LOCAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS, AND MODEL REFORMS FOR THE NATION

Chicago, IL, April 13, 2016 – The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced nearly $25 million in support for ambitious plans to create fairer, more effective local justice systems across the country. The Foundation is awarding 11 jurisdictions grants between $1.5M and $3.5M over two years to reduce their jail populations and address racial and ethnic disparities in their justice systems. An additional nine jurisdictions will be given $150,000 grants to continue their reform work and to participate in a growing, collaborative network of cities, counties, and states driving local justice reform.”

Read More: Spokane receives MacArthur Foundation Safety + Challenge Grant

On February 23rd Frontline did a two hour program called Chasing Heroin. It was filmed over quite a length of time in Seattle.

Chasing Heroin

By the Associated Press

Published on nbcnews.com on March 14, 2016

Excerpt:

“WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is discouraging state court systems from jailing defendants who fail to pay fines or fees, warning against practices that it says run afoul of the Constitution and erode community trust.

A letter being sent Monday by the federal government to state court administrators makes clear that judges should consider alternatives to jail for poor defendants who don’t pay their fines.”

Read More:  Justice Department: States Should Not Jail Poor People Over Fine Nonpayment

By Kip Hill

Published in The Spokesman Review on March 13, 2016

Excerpt:

“Bryan Morales learned of the birth of his daughter, Alyseia, clutching her black-and-white photo in his prison cell.

‘It was a wake-up call,’ said Morales, 36, sitting at the Liberty Lake home where he was arrested nearly three years ago on charges of theft and forgery. Morales’ girlfriend, Sara Borgman, had checked herself into a drug clinic in Seattle a few days prior to Morales learning he was a father. When Morales was arrested, Borgman was pregnant, and Alyseia was born addicted to opiates.”

Read More:  Spokane parents get alternative to jail, but victims feel slighted

By Rachel Alexander

Published in The Spokesman Review on March 7, 2016

Excerpt:

“The phrase “organized chaos” is tossed out more than once by lawyers trying to describe Spokane’s community court.

Aside from the name, there’s little to suggest the weekly session at the downtown library is a court, at least in the traditional sense of the word. People flow freely around the courtroom, which is furnished in plastic chairs with a few folding tables set up in front and in the hallway outside.”

Read More:  Spokane’s community court an experiment that’s paying off

By Dan Pelle

Published in The Spokesman Review on March 7, 2016

Excerpt:

“Spokane’s Community Court is a 2-year-old experiment that is helping low-level criminals stay out of jail and get help with their other problems.”

See the photo gallery:  Community Court