Brit Prawat

Hi, Ashley and Britt.

I'm writing today in regards to an episode I was just listening to and its ties to an organization I work with who is doing some amazing work in Wisconsin.

I'm hoping to raise more awareness about what we do in Wisconsin, as well as what similar organizations do nationwide to improve public safety, changing the approach to working with people with substance use disorders and the criminal justice system and changing public perception of what we are and what we do.

I was just listening to the January 24th, 2022 episode of Crime Junkie titled Survived, Crystal Kaiser and Cyntoia Brown.

Not only does the case of Crystal Kaiser happen in the state of Wisconsin, where I'm from, you also discussed why treatment courts couldn't be used as an alternative for Cyntoia Brown in her case.

For the last seven years, I have worked as a case manager for an OWI DUI treatment court in Wisconsin and have been involved with the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals Board of Directors for the last four years.

I've been able to see firsthand the amazing work that goes into establishing, maintaining and working treatment courts.

as well as the incredible work that participants put into these programs and changing their lives.

Those that participate in Wisconsin treatment courts have reduced overdoses by 83%, and four out of five remain out of the justice system post-graduation.

We have a variety of treatment courts from OWI to drug courts, veteran courts, tribal healing to wellness courts, family reunification courts, hybrid courts, and mental health courts.

We are currently celebrating 30 years since the first treatment court was established in Dane County, and we have grown to over 100 courts in 65 of 72 counties.

The fact that you even brought up treatment courts in your podcast truly excited me from the minute I heard the words.

Treatment courts are changing lives and changing communities.

And while some people have the perception that these courts are a get-out-of-prison-free card, they are far from it.

These programs are intensive and include high-level monitoring, including probation, case management, electronic monitoring, drug testing, court monitoring, intensive outpatient treatment, support meetings.

By far, treatment court is the harder choice.

Prison is the easier choice.

However, treatment court is the more rewarding one if the participant truly commits the process.

Treatment court teams are collaborative systems of team members, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, treatment providers, probation, case managers, and coordinators, and sometimes peer support and prior program graduates.

These are sometimes people who are typically across the table from each other, who are now working together to walk alongside participants in a life of recovery.