When people get treatment for their mental health disorders and addictions, they stop coming into the criminal justice system. This is the story of a program that helped do that, and how it can work for more people without spending nearly as much as we do on jails and prisons. Josh Spickler is the executive director at Just City.
Just City is an advocacy organization pursuing smarter criminal justice policies for Memphis and Tennessee. Far too often, a person’s path through the criminal justice system is determined by wealth, and the burdens of that involvement can persist for a lifetime. In only two years, Just City has helped change Tennessee law, making it easier and more affordable to seal a criminal record and get a second chance. Just City continues to focus on areas in the criminal justice system, like expungement, bail, and driver licensing, where poverty is a barrier to justice.
Josh speaks publicly and works with local and national media to tell stories about public defense and criminal justice reform. He believes none of us should be defined by the worst thing we’ve ever done.
Josh has degrees from the University of Memphis Law School and Rhodes College. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx