After retiring, a handful of people who used to work in Cook County’s criminal courts came together to help programs that keep non-violent offenders from returning to crime.
“I think the Problem-Solving Courts are the best thing that’s happened to the criminal justice system and we are just here to support them”, says Susan Fasan, executive director of Friends of Recovery United.
The non-profit formed in 2016 to assist people going through diversion programs for defendants who are veterans, or struggling with mental and addiction problems.
Fasan says “we kind of fill the gap between what other agencies and government entities can provide and what the participant actually needs”.
Those needs vary from simple things such as bus fare to the more complex ones such a spot in a recovery home.
In one case, a client in mental health court wanted to give back by becoming an addiction counsellor, so Fasan says FORU paid for the woman’s tuition.
Those investments add up.
Each problem-solving court participant saves taxpayers an estimated $6,000 a year by keeping them out of jail or prison.
WBBM met Fasan in September at one of Cook County’s 20 Problem-Solving Courts.
There were tears, speeches and applause in the Skokie courtroom where 6 people graduated from Drug Treatment Court after the two-year intensive program.
Fasan and 8 other volunteers run Friends of Recovery United off of private donations.