A specialized docket in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court recently celebrated the graduation of four program participants.

Led by Judge Anthony Donofrio, the Second Chance Offender Reentry (SCORE) specialized docket provides incarcerated individuals with the tools and resources needed to succeed as they reenter society.

Judge Donofrio has assembled a team of several agencies that provide mental health and addiction treatment, education and employment assistance, and housing support. The team meets weekly with participants to assess their individual needs. The process begins before participants leave prison to ensure they have plans tailored to their needs once released.

“The goal is to see participants have a successful reintegration process and not return to incarceration,” said the judge. “The program length can be anywhere from one to five years.”

According to Judge Donofrio, research used to guide reentry dockets consistently shows that housing, employment, family reunification, and mental and physical health treatment are vital to post-release success.

Most recently, Ben Richards, Donald Hall, Joquan Weaver, and Andreis Taylor completed the requirements of SCORE after participating in the specialized docket for more than a year. 

Each man faced his own unique challenges. For Richards and Hall, the focus was overcoming addiction.

“They had an amazing recovery journey,” said Judge Donofrio.

Both men found housing in group homes, secured sponsors, obtained valid driver’s licenses, and worked full time throughout the program. They also reestablished relationships with their children.

“Richards also paid off about $11,000 in restitution, which is incredible,” said Judge Donofrio.

According to the judge, Richards was able to make such substantial payments in part because of the reduced cost of living through sober housing while enrolled in the SCORE docket.

“He also worked the entire time he was in the program and was laser-focused on regularly applying a portion of his paycheck toward restitution,” said Judge Donofrio.

For Weaver and Taylor, their journeys focused on growth, stability, and rebuilding relationships and trust. According to the judge, both worked jobs and made significant strides throughout SCORE.

“They exemplified what the program was meant to do,” he said.