Judge Mik Pappas’ Vision
End Mass Incarceration
- Reduce disparities in arrest and incarceration for people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ persons
- Eliminate cash bail and implement safer alternatives
- Establish a habeas docket to ensure that judges regularly review the circumstances of incarcerated persons
- Prioritize care over incarceration for people who have disabilities or suffer from mental illness and addiction
- Focus the probation system on providing a supportive re-entry process
- Plan for the closure of the Allegheny County Jail (Read more in Mik’s Medium article)
Stop Punishing Poverty
- Replace fines, fees, and other financial penalties for minor violations of the law with community service, treatment, counseling, and employment training
- Partner with the trades and employment agencies to help court-involved persons overcome barriers to employment
- Develop alternatives to issuing warrants for non-payment of court debt and child support
- Improve the system for attorney court-appointments to maximize choice
Prevent Family Trauma
- Examine trauma-informed practices through court procedural audits
- Expand access to community mediation and counseling for children and families who are experiencing parental incarceration, or who are involved in divorce proceedings and custody disputes
- End the cycle of domestic violence by addressing root causes
- Implement best practices in restorative justice