Summit indicates Cherokee County's commitment to justice system reform
May 9—The recent gathering at Rusk Municipal Court May 8 demonstrated Cherokee County's commitment to enacting meaningful reform in its justice system.
Spearheaded by Judge Forrest Phifer, this meeting brought together officials from across the county. In attendance were approximately 40 people, including members of the judiciary, prosecutors, probation officers, non-profit organizations and school representatives.
The purpose of the event was to explore how to best implement the newly passed Youth Diversion and Early Intervention Act. This groundbreaking legislation aims to curb the school-to-prison pipeline by keeping at-risk youth who are entangled in low-level offenses out of court proceedings through alternative intervention programs, tailored to rehabilitate rather than punish. Cherokee County's justice system has seen concerning trends in recent years, with hundreds of annual juvenile and adult drug-related arrests, in addition to many arrests for alcohol- and property-related crime.
With 25.5% of the county's population under 17 and only 30.4% of the county's residents being high school graduates, early intervention is critical to disrupting the cycle of criminality. The Act provides a framework for diverting struggling youth into customized services such as teen courts, counseling, mentoring, educational support, treatment programs and more. These services are intended to identify and resolve the root causes of delinquency, from mental health disorders to learning challenges.
Local officials discussed how to best leverage available programs of area organizations like ETCADA and ACCESS to develop a coordinated, county-wide strategy suitable for both rural and urban communities. The goal is to surround youth with the necessary support the moment signs of trouble arise, rather than allowing problems to escalate. This rehabilitation-focused approach represents a shift toward a more restorative model of justice.
Officials also explored adapting aspects of the Act for the adult justice system. With county per capita income averaging only $26,790 over the past four years and 16.8% of its residents living in poverty, a united front is needed to implement inventive solutions. As Judge Phifer emphasized, open communication and idea exchange will be key to transforming Cherokee County's justice system to better serve at-risk youth and adults.
