Supported‑release program shows high appearance and safety rates as caseloads grow

Aaron, the supported‑release program lead, told the SRLJC that the district‑court referral stream has increased sharply in recent weeks and the program is nearing capacity. "We're up in the 1 forties right now," he said, describing a jump from roughly 95 active participants a few weeks earlier to the current caseload.

Aaron said roughly 18% of first‑appearance defendants are being placed on the supported‑release program and that the program has achieved strong compliance and safety outcomes: "Out of 373 hearings, our folks attended 342 of those for a 92% appearance rate," he said. He added the program's safety measure — the rate of not being arrested or cited on a new charge while enrolled — is "97% or that's our citation or arrest free rate."

Program staff and council members acknowledged the surge is straining staffing: Aaron said the program is covered by "1 grants position to cover that program" and the team did not anticipate such high engagement from the court. Council members said expansion to additional case types would be conceptually possible but would require additional personnel and supervision.

Aaron previewed a public dashboard of program statistics that the council expects to publish soon and described the courthouse navigator pilot that supports people arriving at court. The navigator, Denisha, began Aug. 21 and "has helped over a thousand people in the courthouse already," Aaron said. The navigator provides wayfinding to clerk and courtroom locations and hands out limited bus passes and snack bags to help people get to appointments.

Council members praised the program's early results and discussed next steps for community outreach and resourcing. The SRLJC did not take any formal action to expand the program at the meeting; staff said they will continue to prioritize high‑risk in‑custody cases and assess options for additional funded staff.