Is COVID to blame for the backed up court cases? Or is it clogged administrative problems inside our system, or a problem with the Prosecutor’s or the Defender’s office? The jail has had steep reductions in occupancy load because of Covid rules being implemented, yet our direct reporting from people living inside the jails and awaiting representation, or for court action, there are real gaps in communication, services and justice.

Mental health issues of all types have skyrocketed throughout this pandemic, while at the same time, our community health and public safety people have been overworked. We must understand the problem to find solutions.

In this call, we deliver real and recent examples of the gaps in services for families and adults. When these gaps are allowed, combined with fear and with the current social isolation climate compounds the mental, emotion and physical stressors. The justice system on all fronts is glutted with backup, and the person inside is subject to it all. Now, more than ever, people dealing with “the systems” need help from people who understand the complications.