Our Social Workers/Alternative Sentencing Workers are responsible for preparing a holistic, strengths-based assessment of our clients’ needs to identify services that meet their underlying issues with two goals in mind: first, to diminish the risk of later involvement with the criminal justice system; and, second, to reduce the necessity of incarceration and the exorbitant expenditures required to house people in jails and prisons when more effective and less costly alternatives exist.  Our Social Workers may also provide services, including the development of mitigation evidence, in conjunction with the representation provided by staff trial attorneys assigned with responsibility for the resolution of pending criminal charges and the legal disposition of our clients’ cases. 

Social Workers utilize motivational interviewing techniques to increase the client’s propensity for change while working as part of the defense team within the attorney-client relationship.  Additionally, Social Workers improve coordination and cooperation amongst criminal justice agencies and treatment providers by promoting evidence-based practices and programs, as well as a better understanding of substance abuse, mental illness, and poverty issues.  Our Social Workers interact and collaborate with local and state level agencies and treatment providers in order to assist clients with successful re-entry into the community after release from detention.