
A Non-Profit, Philanthropic Law Firm!
Hold on to your hats because this article is about something that I had never encountered until I met Douglas Ammar, the Executive Director of the Georgia Justice Project (GJP). We were both guest speakers at a justice conference in the USA in October 2023 and I was excited to hear Doug speak of a non-profit, philanthropic law firm funded by (drum roll…) corporate partners! This was a new concept to me. A values-led, humane, and compassionate law firm which I would absolutely love to see modelled globally.
The GJP mission reads: “Georgia Justice Project strengthens our community by demonstrating a better way to represent and support individuals in the criminal justice system and reduce barriers to re-entry. GJP promotes innovative change through direct legal representation, policy, advocacy, education, and coalition building”. The GJP has two goals, including to:
1. Reduce the number of Georgians under correctional control- that is people in jail/ prison, or on probation/ parole; and to
2. Reduce re-entry barriers for formerly incarcerated and justice-involved Georgians.
The GJP’s premise is that change is both vital for the state’s long-term prosperity and simply put- the right thing to do - for rehabilitated individuals. Doug teaches, “If someone has made a mistake, not only should we NOT hold it against them for the rest of their lives, but we should also honour their rehabilitation and give them access to life’s essentials”. By life essentials, they mean consultation and representation on issues such as: expungement, child support, driver’s licence suspensions, probation, and occupational licensing.
There are also employee support programs for those hindered by an arrest or conviction record. Education and training resources are available for companies interested in hiring ‘at-risk’ or ‘second chance hiring’ for those with criminal records. This approach has resulted in such policy goals as ‘Getting Georgians Back to Work’.
During my short time practising criminal law and juvenile justice, I understood how vital re-entry programs are, yet sadly how lacking these are in many jurisdictions, mine included. How for instance, can a juvenile who has had a brush with the law, find the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual support to understand his/ her actions, get to the root cause of the triggers that drive the self-sabotaging and criminal behaviours, learn the tools to transform his/ her life’s experiences to more positive ones, to make better daily choices and be surrounded by healthier and happier people- without any intervention by way of guidance or support? This is one of the reasons why I started my holistic law practice well-being network in the absence of re-entry programs in Gibraltar (voluntary options as well as paid are necessary for wider accessibility).
GJP’s approach works in tandem on three levels:
1. The individual – legal consultation and representation and social services
2. Policy and Systemic- that is working towards system change
3. Community outreach- building awareness in the community and creating partnerships.
Much in line with the Project for Integrating Spirituality Law and Politics (PISLAP’s) ethos, the GJP invests in policy work- resulting by 2023 in 22 criminal justice law changes, particularly around the barrier of re-entry. These dialogues include the Georgia business community. GJP hosts invitation-only gatherings to learn from and listen to the business community with a focus on what barriers exist in the hiring of those with a criminal record.
“The Georgia legislature listens when the business community speaks”.
As Doug spoke passionately and authoritatively about the GJP, two further examples he gave of the need for policy change included the suspension of driving licences and the matter of occupational licensing.
Doug explained that driving on a suspended licence is the number one reason for arrests in Georgia. The non-waivable reinstatement fee of $100.00 adds to the financial burden of individuals already struggling financially to make a living, particularly if unemployed. If you made your living as a driver (and even if you don’t) having your driving licence suspended can affect your chances of accessing and remaining in employment.
Moreover, 1 in 7 jobs in Georgia require an occupational licence but if you have a criminal record, you can be barred from obtaining the licence to work- even if the record is old, pardoned or expunged. One can easily understand that without access to paid employment, the likelihood of reoffending increases. The GJP adds that, “steady employment reduces the risk of rearrest by more than half. Paths to employment not only create economic opportunity but they also improve public safety”.
Creating a safe space where victims and offenders can meet to walk down a path of accountability and restoration is also offered through GJP’s Victim-Centred Programs. Here crime survivors seek healing through a facilitated process. GJP reports that victims overwhelmingly report satisfaction as compared with the traditional criminal legal system and participants have dramatically reduced recidivism rates. Those who complete such programs are also reported as more likely to pay restitution. All positives.
As the world continues turning, the paradigm shift progresses, and humanity evolves to the next phase of its existence, we will I pray, continue witnessing the birth of more visionary and evolved organisations such as the GJP, which provide the opportunity and platform for awakenings in each of us- towards deeper human connection, compassion and justice.
Latest Blog Posts
- Justice as Peace
- Lawyers as Healers- Injustices as Breaches in Our Human Community
- A Non-Profit, Philanthropic Law Firm!
- How are Spirituality, Law, and Politics Linked?
- Why & How Cases Are Linked To Intergenerational Trauma
- Peace and Pain In The Justice System
- From Despair to Peace in Amber’s Holistic Process - Jeff's Story
- From Anger to Justice as Peace
- Audacious Visions Of A Better Future For Lawyer Well-being
- Why and How Children Harm Themselves
- How Your Level of Self Care is Linked to Why Your Child May Refuse Contact
- 10 Ways Separating Parents May Unconsciously Emotionally Harm Their Children
- What Children See in Childhood, The Inner Child in Their Adulthood Repeats An Awakening About Domestic Violence
- The ‘Outer Justice’ System
- The Inner Justice System