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Press Release

U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces First “Alaska Hope Court” Graduate

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a graduation ceremony was held today for Rashad Arnsworth, 38, of Anchorage, for his completion of the 18-month long federal reentry program, known as Alaska Hope Court.

 

The Hope Court was established in May 2015 through an order of the District Court of Alaska.  The Hope Court team members include the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States District Court, the Office of the Federal Defender, and the United States Probation Office. 

 

The Hope Court has received invaluable assistance from community partners including Partners for Progress, Partners Reentry Center, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Alaska Native Justice Center and the Alaska Wellness Court Alumni Group, according to Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith, presiding judge of the court.  Each of these organizations are essential to the success of the Hope Court participants, according to Judge Smith.

 

Mr. Arnsworth met the following graduation requirements of Hope Court, which are demanding and are aimed at building life skills:

 

  • Complete Moral Reconation Therapy, an evidence-based program designed to build life skills and critical thinking;
  • Obtain stable housing;
  • Obtain and maintain stable employment, ideally employment that can lead to a career unless excused by Probation;
  • Successfully complete any recommended substance abuse treatment;
  • Successfully complete any recommended counseling;
  • Complete approximately 60 hours of a volunteer project of their choice to “give back” to the community; and
  • Complete at least 18 successful months in Hope Court with six months of continuous sobriety before graduation. 

 

Because Mr. Arnsworth successfully graduated from the program, the Hope Court team recommended to U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason that Mr. Arnsworth receive a 15-month reduction in his period of supervised release.  Judge Gleason accepted the recommendation.

 

Judge Smith noted: "Mr. Arnsworth has turned his life around. He has successfully graduated and did it in record time. He has quietly set an example for others and always been willing to assist other court participants." Mr. Arnsworth was recently hired as a peer counselor with Cook Inlet Tribal Council.

Updated September 21, 2017

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