People

Nov. 21, 2017 11:49 am

Keir Bradford-Grey on what ‘participatory defense’ could look like in Philly

The Defender Association head is bringing the community-focused justice program here after a successful start in Montgomery County.

(L to R) Isaac Freedman, Debby Freedman, Keir Bradford-Grey, Rep. Jordan Harris and Mitch Little.

(Photo courtesy of Community Legal Services)

Around the Corner” is a PhillyCAM show that offers local social impact leaders the opportunity to share what impact their work is having on the Philadelphia area.


Last month on “Around the Corner,” we hosted Defender Association’s head of adult social services, Curt Watkins. This month, we got the legal defense organization’s head honcho: Keir Bradford-Grey.

The Defender Association is in the midst of a push to launch participatory defense, a justice initiative that started in Silicon Valley and made its way to Montgomery County while Bradford-Grey was its chief defender.

Participatory defense connects community members — organizations such as, say, the Reentry Think Tank, and individuals who have been involved with the legal system themselves — to public defenders to help the latter learn about their clients’ personal and social lives, such as their work and family histories, for more “robust” results, Bradford-Grey said.

For instance, the participatory defense organizers could set up weekly meetings with the families of those in the system and talk through the courts process with them so they know what to expect at each hearing.

“That’s what you want to see out of our justice system: not just looking at someone as a processed number, but looking at them as an individual,” Bradford-Grey said. “The only way we can do that is by connecting with the untapped resources of the community.”

The Defender Association is hosting a participatory defense kickoff event on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Community College of Philadelphia with the founders of the movement on hand to explain what the initiative could look like in Philadelphia. Learn more below.

From our Partners

Watch on YouTube

PhillyCAM is Comcast channel 66/966 HD/967 and Verizon FIOS channel 29/30 in Philadelphia.

-30-

From our Partners

Dennis and Lee Horton say their own grief and trauma helped them to help others

Homelessness in reentry is a serious concern. Here’s what Philly is doing about it

PAR-Recycle Works continues to collect e-waste and transform lives at its new Hunting Park facility

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Meet Kim Andrews, new executive director for The Fund for Women and Girls

Wallingford, PA

Pendle Hill

Events Coordinator

Apply Now
Media, PA

The Foundation for Delaware County

Communications Manager

Apply Now
Philadelphia, PA

Maternity Care Coalition

Therapist (MFT)

Apply Now

Philly’s hidden figures: They’ve been doing crucial and stellar work for years

Philly nonprofit legal orgs react to Trump campaign lawsuits

Need help restoring utilities or preventing foreclosure? Legal help is available by phone

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County

Philadelphia, PA

Maternity Care Coalition

Clinical Supervisor

Apply Now
Philadelphia, Pa

Community Legal Services

Housing Unit: CO-Managing Attorney

Apply Now
Philadelphia, Pa

Community Legal Services

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Apply Now
   
       
       

Subscribe to Generocity

       
* indicates required