Understanding Social Work Practice in Public Defense

• In Event: Legal Services for the Indigent: Social Work, Mitigation, and Holistic Defense

Abstract

Various models of public defense depart from a traditional approach and attempt to consider life circumstances and concerns outside of the immediate legal case: the client-centered model emerged in the 1970s (Steinberg, 2013), followed by the community-oriented and holistic models that emerged in the 1990s (Clark & Savner, 2010; Steinberg, 2013). Along the way, the incorporation of social work services became integral, though little is known: What roles do social workers play? Why? Where? The number of state or county public defense systems that have adopted a model of defense that relies on social workers is unknown, though recent large-scale evaluations of holistic defense (Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, 2013; Lee, Ostrom & Kleiman 2014) and the creation of county and state-wide social work programs in public defense systems suggest interest is growing (Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, 2016; State of Maryland Office of the Public Defender, 2015). This presentation will provide an overview of holistic public defense and offer rationale for the integration of social work services. An example of a holistic, client-centered model of legal practice that has successfully integrated
social workers for over 15 years will be provided.

Public defenders are increasingly adopting the holistic model and acknowledging that social workers are essential components of the defense team. If social work is to achieve success in reengaging and reclaiming involvement in criminal justice policy and practice, social workers should be poised to take advantage of the existing opportunity by moving forward as effective, integrated team members with clarity and definition of roles. A brief history of emerging models of practice will be discussed and an example of a unique, well-established model of social work practice within public defense will be provided. Roles will be discussed and client data will be shared to promote an understanding of the population and the needs to be addressed by social workers.

Given the commitment various models of public defense have made to social work, it is important to understand the impact social work services have on both public defense clients and the overall public defense system. This presentation will provide a brief overview of evaluations and studies of social work practice within public defense gathered from public defenders and from the literature. A recent study examining recidivism outcomes will be discussed and outcomes will be shared. Implications for practice and future research will be discussed.

Author

• Sarah Buchanan, The Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office