Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is using funds seized from banks to fund a program that will connect arrested individuals with voluntary social services once they are released. Photographer: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
By Fola Akinnibi, Bloomberg CityLab|Government, October 16, 2023
New York City is adding to its ecosystem of programs aimed at keeping people out of jail with a new initiative in Manhattan courts.
The program, called Court Navigators, will connect people arrested and released in Manhattan who may be suffering from mental illness or substance use disorder with social workers who have had with similar life experiences. Those peers are tasked with building relationships and helping the individuals navigate the social safety net with the goal of reducing recidivism.
Funding will come from a pool of millions of dollars seized from BNP Paribas SA, HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Bank for allegedly violating US sanctions, according to a Monday statement from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office. The DA awarded $3 million to the Fortune Society to run the program for three years. The nonprofit will staff the Manhattan criminal courthouse and look to connect with people who are released on a voluntary basis, seven days a week.
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