The 15th Circuit Intervention Court has received a $75,000 grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation to support the program’s continued growth. The court serves as a problem-solving intervention initiative, diverting felony offenders with substance abuse or co-occurring disorders from the traditional justice system into treatment and structured community reintegration.

The program, which spans three to five years, provides participants with the supervision, treatment, and resources needed to become drug-free and productive members of society. To graduate, participants must meet several rigorous requirements, including maintaining sobriety for at least two years, earning a GED or high school equivalent, obtaining a driver’s license, completing book reports, and fully paying fines and fees owed to the county of conviction. Upon successful completion, participants may be eligible to have their felony records expunged, as allowed by law.

In the 2023-2024 period, the 15th Circuit Intervention Court has supported an average of 235 participants. Among its accomplishments:

• Reunited numerous participants with their families, creating a broader positive impact beyond the individual.
• Graduated 40 participants and processed 47 expungements, offering a fresh start to many.
• Welcomed six drug-free babies born to program participants.
• Helped 30 participants earn academic or technical trade degrees.
• Collected over $101,951 in court fines, benefiting district counties.
• Conducted more than 11,166 chemical tests to ensure participants’ sobriety.
• Provided job training, job placement, housing, and transportation assistance.

Additionally, the program emphasized accountability through frequent home visits by officers, offering further deterrence against substance abuse.

The 15th Circuit Intervention Court expressed gratitude to the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation for its partnership, noting that the grant has strengthened the program’s ability to equip participants for a healthier, more productive future.

“This grant allows us to expand our impact and better serve those striving to overcome addiction and reenter society as contributing citizens,” a court representative said.

The program continues to provide hope and opportunity, supporting both its participants and the wider community.