Albany Works program offers alternative for individuals charged with misdemeanors

ALBANY — When Jerbria Brown was faced with the option of entering a community court program after running into trouble with the law, her first reaction wasn’t no, it was, “Hell no!”

Brown landed in Albany Municipal Court on charges of driving without a license, malfunctioning car light and two counts of not having her children in a car seat.

During that session, Albany Municipal Court Judge Willie Weaver had Brown speak with Carmalete Daniels, case manager with the Albany Works community court program. Brown was not enthusiastic.

“At first, I said I wasn’t going to do it,” said Brown, one of 21 who donned gowns for a Friday graduation from the program.

Daniels agreed with Brown’s assessment.

“Ms. Brown gave me a hard time when I met her,” Daniels said. “I think the blinders came off when she realized she could make a better life for herself. I’m very proud of her.”

Through the program, Brown recently received her GED, so Friday’s ceremony was her second graduation within a week’s time.

Participants in Albany Works receive assistance ranging from help in getting off the streets if they are homeless, mental health treatment, drug recovery, clothing and food assistance. Weaver also can sentence participants to perform community service if they do not have the money to pay their fines.

Albany Works partners with institutions and organizations including Albany State University, Albany Technical College, Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services, Eckerd Connects, Goodwill Industries, Paxen Learning Center, Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, Strive to Thrive and 9 to 5.

On Friday, Brown had a different attitude and outlook, and she credits Daniels for her patience.

“Everything I needed help with, she was there,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to do it, but it really helped me out. I’m going on to college, and I want to go for my trade.”

Brown said she plans to go to school for a degree in culinary arts, with a goal of owning a restaurant one day, and to potentially pursue one in childhood education.

Others among the 16 who attended the ceremony also turned negative situations into positive outlooks and are contemplating careers as nurses, teachers and entrepreneurs.

“She said she loves to cook,” Daniels said of Brown. “If she finishes and opens a little restaurant, I’m going to be there to eat at it.”

Albany Works started as a pilot program and is funded through a federal grant and assists offenders who appear in Municipal Court on misdemeanor charges including traffic offenses and disorderly conduct. After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program started back up in March 2022.

“The goal is to move them forward and hope they don’t come back before Judge Weaver,” Daniels said.

Of the 75 participants who have graduated, only three have made a subsequent appearance in Municipal Court, she said.

“It’s a wonderful program (and is) well-needed,” said Weaver, who was at the ceremony. “A lot of people in our area don’t have the resources and assistance to get to the next level.

“We understand if they don’t have a place to stay or a job or an education; the first step is a place for them to stay. We understand the steps, and we guide them. They’re doing very positive things.”

Currently, Albany Works is looking at results from the pilot program with an eye toward making some improvement for the future, Community Court Program Manager Debra Wiley said.