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Public defender highlights social-worker pilot and staffing model in quarterly report
Summary
Kevin Rogers presented the office's quarterly report (March), apologized for a typographical error in the packet, and described a social-worker pilot aimed at improving reentry outcomes and reducing recidivism; commissioners pressed on caseload limits and staffing sources.
Kevin Rogers of the Office of the Public Defender told the committee the quarterly report covers March and placed the office's work in the context of Sixth Amendment obligations to provide counsel. Rogers apologized for a typo in the written packet and said the office is using a hybrid staffing model—full-time county-funded attorneys, roster attorneys for conflicts/overflow, and the statewide assigned-counsel system—to keep caseloads within limits.
Rogers highlighted a pilot social-worker reentry program intended to help people exiting incarceration clear outstanding issues that can lead to rearrest. "If we can intercept that and maybe get some people before these courts where they have some outstanding baggage and get them to clear that, I think it will ... reduce recidivism," Rogers said. Commissioners asked for more detail on MIDC caseload reporting and how the office manages a reported shortfall of six staff; Rogers said the office draws from multiple attorney sources to meet obligations.
The committee moved to receive and recommend the quarterly report; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Commissioners asked Rogers to continue strengthening community engagement and to bring additional operational details if available.
