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Creating Avenues for Restoration & Empowerment
For years there has been a push to create alternatives to placing young offenders in jail. Tennessee’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) recently received $200,000 in federal funding to establish a new community court serving offenders in early adulthood. The C.A.R.E. (Creating Avenues for Restoration & Empowerment) court will be created in Nashville after it was named one of five 2018 Community Court Grant Program winners. Community courts respond to lower level crimes by ordering individuals to pay back the communities they’ve harmed through visible community service projects. The courts simultaneously address the underlying issues fueling criminal behavior, through drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, and job training. National research has shown that the community court model can reduce crime and substance use, increase services to victims, reduce unnecessary jail time, save money, and improve public confidence in justice. General Sessions Music City Community Court Presiding Judge Rachel L. Bell explained some of the basics of the new court. “The restorative justice concept that we would like to focus on will emphasize the ways that crime harms relationships in the community and also brings together the people most impacted by the crime to resolve it,” she said. “It will be based on a model similar to Cook County’s new Restorative Justice Community Court in Illinois. The C.A.R.E. model will ensure that offenders take accountability for their actions and then work to repair the harm through restitution when needed, community service, letters of apology, and peace circles. I am very certain with the C.A.R.E diversionary program in place, this will lead to a healthier community, a brighter future for young offenders, and less crime here in Nashville.” The C.A.R.E. court has the full support of Nashville Public Defender Martesha L. Johnson and Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk. “It is time that we create innovative options that provide opportunities to end the cycle of incarceration and increase avenues for restoration and rehabilitation,” Johnson said. “We support the mission of the C.A.R.E. court mission to divert young adults from the jail population and give them the tools to succeed in the community.” “Our goal here is to make sure these individuals truly understand the impact their crimes have had on victims and the community as a whole,” Funk said. “This program offers alternatives to individuals who are truly remorseful and desire a second chance to serve the community in a positive manner.”
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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