DeKalb County District Attorney
10/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2024 07:37
DA BOSTON PLEASED TO CONGRATULATE 10 YOUNG ADULTS ON GRADUATION FROM DIVERSION PROGRAM
October 2, 2024
Innovative Program Seeks to Prevent Recidivism and Offer Second Chances
Decatur, Ga.- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is pleased to announce the graduation of 10 young adults from her office's STRIDE pretrial diversion program.
STRIDE, which stands for Stopping Trends of Repeat Incarceration with Diversion and Education, is a voluntary diversion program that holds young adults accountable for serious non-violent crimes they have committed, while also ensuring their civic and career opportunities remain intact.
DA Boston and her team introduced STRIDE in 2019. Six participants graduated in the first cohort of the program in October 2020, 12 participants graduated as part of the second cohort in April 2022, and 15 participants graduated in the third cohort in July 2023.
"STRIDE allows young adults who make a mistake to learn from it without permanently damaging their future opportunities," said DA Boston. "We developed a program that reduces incarceration and interrupts the cycle of recidivism. Rather than label these young people as criminals, we have given them the opportunity to become role models and contributing members of our community."
STRIDE participants must be 17-24 years old, reside in DeKalb County, and meet one of three requirements: the charge is out of guidelines for normal pretrial diversion; they have had prior contact with the justice system, including juvenile justice, or more than one felony pending; or they are a high risk for re-offending/lack supportive structures to complete pretrial diversion independently.
Participants pledge to remain crime-free and not possess weapons during the program, and they are required to take part in a series of interventions and educational opportunities. In exchange for successfully completing the program, the District Attorney will dismiss charges.
"We know that we can't continue to use the same approaches and expect different results," said DA Boston. "STRIDE is a different approach that is yielding promising results. Since our program began in 2020, more than 40 young adults have graduated with new job opportunities, self-confidence, and a renewed sense of civic responsibility. I look forward to their future success."
A ceremony for the 10 participants graduating from the fourth cohort of the STRIDE program took place on September 30, 2024, and featured a keynote address from DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond.
"Don't give up just because you made a mistake; you don't have to live down to your mistakes," said CEO Thurmond. "…nobody expects you to be perfect, but we do expect you to do better than what you've done before. You've got a second chance. Don't waste it."
Graduates successfully completed a 12-month program that encompassed several requirements including: cognitive behavioral counseling; monthly meetings; full-time work or school; community service; civic engagement; acts of restorative justice (restitution, letters of apology, etc.); and a book-based presentation.
STRIDE partners include RED, Inc., WorkSource DeKalb, American Alternative Court Services and Acivilate.
DA Boston's Diversion and Community Alternatives Programs Unit encompasses alternatives to prosecution and treatment programs offered by the District Attorney's Office and the Courts. The Unit creates and administers alternative solutions allowing our community to receive justice while still allowing non-violent defendants to maintain employability and positive community engagement. The Unit is led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisa Moultrie and is staffed by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Isaac Howard and Ashley Masset, and Case Manager Tina Padilla.
Please note, due to privacy concerns, record restriction guidelines, and conditions associated with the STRIDE program, participant identification is being withheld.
Innovative Program Seeks to Prevent Recidivism and Offer Second Chances
Decatur, Ga.- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is pleased to announce the graduation of 10 young adults from her office's STRIDE pretrial diversion program.
STRIDE, which stands for Stopping Trends of Repeat Incarceration with Diversion and Education, is a voluntary diversion program that holds young adults accountable for serious non-violent crimes they have committed, while also ensuring their civic and career opportunities remain intact.
DA Boston and her team introduced STRIDE in 2019. Six participants graduated in the first cohort of the program in October 2020, 12 participants graduated as part of the second cohort in April 2022, and 15 participants graduated in the third cohort in July 2023.
"STRIDE allows young adults who make a mistake to learn from it without permanently damaging their future opportunities," said DA Boston. "We developed a program that reduces incarceration and interrupts the cycle of recidivism. Rather than label these young people as criminals, we have given them the opportunity to become role models and contributing members of our community."
STRIDE participants must be 17-24 years old, reside in DeKalb County, and meet one of three requirements: the charge is out of guidelines for normal pretrial diversion; they have had prior contact with the justice system, including juvenile justice, or more than one felony pending; or they are a high risk for re-offending/lack supportive structures to complete pretrial diversion independently.
Participants pledge to remain crime-free and not possess weapons during the program, and they are required to take part in a series of interventions and educational opportunities. In exchange for successfully completing the program, the District Attorney will dismiss charges.
"We know that we can't continue to use the same approaches and expect different results," said DA Boston. "STRIDE is a different approach that is yielding promising results. Since our program began in 2020, more than 40 young adults have graduated with new job opportunities, self-confidence, and a renewed sense of civic responsibility. I look forward to their future success."
A ceremony for the 10 participants graduating from the fourth cohort of the STRIDE program took place on September 30, 2024, and featured a keynote address from DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond.
"Don't give up just because you made a mistake; you don't have to live down to your mistakes," said CEO Thurmond. "…nobody expects you to be perfect, but we do expect you to do better than what you've done before. You've got a second chance. Don't waste it."
Graduates successfully completed a 12-month program that encompassed several requirements including: cognitive behavioral counseling; monthly meetings; full-time work or school; community service; civic engagement; acts of restorative justice (restitution, letters of apology, etc.); and a book-based presentation.
STRIDE partners include RED, Inc., WorkSource DeKalb, American Alternative Court Services and Acivilate.
DA Boston's Diversion and Community Alternatives Programs Unit encompasses alternatives to prosecution and treatment programs offered by the District Attorney's Office and the Courts. The Unit creates and administers alternative solutions allowing our community to receive justice while still allowing non-violent defendants to maintain employability and positive community engagement. The Unit is led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisa Moultrie and is staffed by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Isaac Howard and Ashley Masset, and Case Manager Tina Padilla.
Please note, due to privacy concerns, record restriction guidelines, and conditions associated with the STRIDE program, participant identification is being withheld.