Why More Public Defenders Are Adopting a “Holistic” Model

KQED's Forum

KQED

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.6 • 656 Ratings

🗓️ 19 October 2023

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

An estimated 80 percent of criminal defendants in state courts in the US are represented by public defenders, who typically have huge caseloads. And their clients often need more than just legal help, many are dealing with poverty, homelessness, mental illness and other challenges. Operating in Alameda County and other places around the country, the non-profit Partners for Justice supports the work of public defenders by helping to connect clients to wrap-around social services. Embedded in public defenders’ offices, PFJ’s specially-trained advocates also work with clients to tell their own life stories and put their alleged crimes in context. The approach is known as “holistic defense” and advocates say it lowers incarceration rates and helps defendants rebuild their lives. We’ll talk with PFJ’s founder and a client advocate about their work. Guests: Jamir Graham, advocate, Partners for Justice Emily Galvin-Almanza, founder and co-executive director, Partners for Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:49.7	From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Alexis Madrigal.
0:55.0	Many people agree the criminal justice system is broken in various ways. The different problems have been enumerated over the years, but at the very heart of the issue is a question.
1:00.0	What is supposed to happen to people who are accused of crimes?
1:04.0	Rehabilitation, punishment, justice, fairness.
1:07.0	This morning we explore a new idea now being piloted in Oakland that touches on all the
1:12.2	core principles of the system. What if people who stand accused could access a broader
1:17.3	array of services? Their defense could be a touchpoint of care that might reduce incarceration
1:23.0	and improve public safety no matter the outcome of the trial. We're talking holistic defense that's coming up next after this news.
1:37.6	Welcome to Forum. I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:40.5	In California, prosecutors are allocated a billion dollars more than public defenders.
	...

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