Creating alternatives to the criminal justice system is key to reducing court delays

The inadequacy of social, economic and health programs have resulted in the use of the criminal system as a default response to issues that it is not designed to handle.
Marginalized individuals, contending with issues including prior victimization, impoverishment, homelessness, addictions, and disabling mental health issues too often end up criminalized and imprisoned, writes Independent Senator Kim Pate, who sits on the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Photograph courtesy of C.P.Storm
Opinion
BY SENATOR KIM PATE
June 23, 2017

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