ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office announced a new initiative titled ‘Alternative Prosecution for Positive Outcomes’ on Friday. This program offers certain eligible offenders in Atlantic County the opportunity to downgrade their charges or opt for diversion by committing to trauma-informed therapeutic treatment.
This innovative approach is a collaborative effort between the Prosecutor’s Office and Wellbeing and Equity Innovations (WEI), a nonprofit organization. The program is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-responsive strategies aimed at disrupting cycles of violence.
Executive Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey emphasized the program’s foundation in both anecdotal and research-based observations. “Working in this field for so long, you sort of see anecdotally what the research shows,” McKelvey stated. “You see the cycle play out. Today’s victim may be tomorrow’s defendant.” This initiative marks a significant shift towards addressing the root causes of criminal behavior in the community.