CCA’s Mitigation Services program is a leader in the national movement to develop alternatives to incarceration and promote community-based restorative justice. With over 40 years of experience, we operate one of the longest running defender-based advocacy programs in New York State and take cases from every county.

Over at least six weeks, an assigned counsel or public defender and the defendant meet with our team. We conduct an extensive review of the defendant’s history, strengths and needs through interviews, case files and educational, medical and behavioral health records.  Our mitigation reports evaluate the impact of sentencing options and assess alternatives to incarceration. We refer the defendant to relevant social services, and give the report to their defense counsel for submission to the court.

Remarkably, 90% of the cases aided by our mitigation reports result in reduced sentences or diversion from incarceration.  This not only strengthens communities, preserves families, supports individual healing - it saves New York State $7.6 million a year that would otherwise be spent on incarcerating our community members and loved ones.