Grant creates 'more level playing field' in criminal justice system | News, Sports, Jobs

LEWISTOWN – To strengthen legal representation for those who cannot afford it, Mifflin County has been awarded an Indigent Defense Grant in the amount of $111,973 for the period July 1 through December 31, 2025.

The grant is intended to address the long-standing funding imbalance between prosecutors and public defenders and represents an important step toward a more balanced criminal justice system in the county.

“Until recently, Pennsylvania was one of only two states that did not provide state funding for the defense of indigent individuals accused of a crime. This grant will help provide funding to offset, if not completely correct, that imbalance,” said Shawn Curry, Mifflin County Public Defender.

The program supplements existing county grants and supports legal representation for those who meet certain guidelines and cannot afford a private attorney.

The funds will enhance the capabilities of the Public Defender's Office in several ways. “With this grant, we want to provide additional support to our staff and systems to further improve productivity, efficiency and service to the people we help,” Said Curry.

One of the key focuses will be implementing a more comprehensive, customer-centric approach. Curry emphasized: “We believe these funds will advance our client-centered approach by addressing not only criminal charges, but also related issues such as housing, employment, mental health and substance abuse.”

The flexibility of the grant allows for a wide range of applications. As outlined in a government press release from April 2024, the funds can be used for:

• Salaries and benefits for full-time or part-time employees

• Recruitment, promotion and retention efforts

• Improve data collection and reporting capacity

• Training and education, including consultancy costs and travel expenses

• Technical assistance to improve defence services for those in need

• Travel and transport costs

• Consumables and equipment

• Additional costs identified by the district to improve capacity and effectiveness

This broad framework allows the public defender's office to tailor its approach to the specific needs of Mifflin County residents. Curry highlighted the potential for improved tracking and resource allocation: “With more support staff and more efficient systems that we can implement with the help of the grants, we will be better able to track and identify people's individual needs and refer them to the appropriate services, so we can meaningfully address the underlying issues that brought them to court and into the criminal justice system.”

While the immediate beneficiaries of the grant are the public defender's office and its clients, Curry also sees broader impacts on the community.

“Regardless of the outcome of a criminal case, most people treated in our district criminal justice system are residents of our community,” he said. “Whether immediately or after a period of incarceration, each of these people will return to our community. The more resources we have available to help them return as more productive members of our community, the stronger and safer our community will be.”

This perspective highlights the grant's potential long-term impact on the social fabric of Mifflin County. By addressing not only the legal issues but also the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behavior, the enhanced indigent defense services could help reduce recidivism and promote reintegration into society.

The question remains how this influx of funds will affect case outcomes, client satisfaction and the overall efficiency of the justice system.

As the Public Defender’s Office prepares to implement the grant, several key areas must be addressed:

Staffing: How will the office allocate resources between hiring new employees and supporting existing staff?

Technology: What systems or tools are being implemented to improve data collection and case management?

Training: How are professional development opportunities structured to maximize impact on service delivery?

Community partnerships: Will the office develop new relationships with local organizations to meet clients’ non-legal needs?

Key figures: How is the success of the implementation of the grant measured and reported?

The answers to these questions are expected to emerge over the next few months as the Public Defender's Office implements the grant.

The grant is more than just financial support; it represents a shift toward a more equitable justice system in Mifflin County. As Curry put it: “We are grateful for these efforts to create fairer conditions in the criminal justice system.”