Statewide Support

Among all Partners' programs, probably the most significant has been leadership in the development of statewide support for therapeutic justice. Through educational workshops, training sessions, newspaper articles, testimony at state legislative hearings and other informational activities Partners has worked statewide to develop public understanding about how this new form of justice that protects the public and saves lives and costs.

Alaska's Legislature has responded to information about this new and effective form of justice with legislation that has:

• Defined therapeutic court-ordered treatment programs;
• Authorized therapeutic courts to reduce sentences below mandatory minimums or other required provisions for those who successfully complete a court-ordered treatment program;
• Appropriated ongoing operating funds to partially support therapeutic courts.

Results show that therapeutic justice is clearly more effective than traditional punitive justice in reducing repeat addiction-fueled crime. But, for many, this new form of justice requires a whole new way of thinking. Focusing on solving the problems that underlie a person's criminal actions can seem counter-intuitive, especially to those trained as prosecutors. Maintaining recent gains and moving the therapeutic courts to solid fiscal sustainability will require an ongoing effort by Partners and by many others throughout the state.