BY: KeAuna Warren

 Alachua County Court Services is a alternative sentence for people who have served jail time or need to pay some legal expenses.  They offer programs such as day reporting, community service, and others.  They are thinking about starting a re-entry program here in Alachua County.

 There are over 3000 people who come through the court service program.  There are over 200 worksites for them to go to.  They also do neighborhood clean ups with the work crew.

 My job is basically paperwork on top of paperwork.  Sometimes I go to court and watch some of the legal procedure there.  I also got to go to a meeting in Jacksonville where they talked about the new re-entry program.

 I learned that a lot of work goes into trying to depopulate jails.  The re-entry program will really help those who where in prison with the skills to move on and not go back.  I learned that there is a lot of paperwork that goes through the office. (most of which I file)  I also learned how to run the systems that they use to keep track of clients

 I really like the idea of re-entry. It’s good that someone wants to help people who were incarcerated get back into society.  I also like that at court services they really try to help the clients that come through.

 Honestly I don’t think I would change anything. There is a balance that court services seems to have and it works. I think that some things could be improved, like the way paperwork keeps coming in and out and there is way to much for just a few people to handle.

Resume KeAuna Warren 1243 Blanding St Starke, Fl Education: PK Yonge DRS, Gainesville, Florida 2008-Present Graduation Date- June 2010 GPA: 3.5 Warren Central High School Bowing Green, KY Experience: City of Starke Starke, Florida Tutor Tutor Elementary School Children Grades K-5 Alachua County Court Services NE 1 st Street Gainesville, Fl Student Intern Filed papers Typed in Data

Achievements: Nation Youth Leadership present Beta Club: H: Computer Skills: I have taken a computer class that showed me how to use all of the major programs References: Alicia McMillan City of Starke Department head

Dear Ms. Brown, Thank you so much for allowing me to come to court services. I really enjoyed myself. You gave me the opportunity to see and learn things that I would never had got the chance to learn. I have learned so much from my experience there. I have learned that there was much more to criminal justice than sending someone to jail. I also learned a lot about alternate sentencing, and how the process helps people with minor cases find another way to repay the state. My favorite experience was going to Jacksonville to the re-entry workshop. That is something that I am really interested in. I really would like to know more about the program and how it helps people out. It is very interesting and very helpful. I really appreciate you letting me come to the office. It was a really fun and educating experience for me. Thank you so much. Sincerely, KeAuna Warren

 Reflection One   It was a dark and stormy night…. okay it was a wet and rainy afternoon. All of the interns were getting ready to leave for their internships, but as they walked out the door.. BAM. It was flooded outside. We looked around to find an opening in the water but there was none. We were forced to go out barefoot with pant legs rolled up. The water rushed well above our ankles.  Finally we made it to the car. The six interns and Ms. Hutson climbed in, soaking anything their clothing touched. We put our shoes on and made our way to the building. We drove just around the corner, but it seemed to take forever. We were all wondering things like: What are our sponsors like?, What are we going to do when we get there? Do I look bad?  We eventually made it to the building. We walked inside and met a man. He was tall and had a very deep voice. He was sort of intimidating.  When we walked inside of another room we saw three other people. All women. One was very tall. The other two were very short. One lady was sitting at a computer. They all introduced themselves. There names were Ms. Brown, Ms. Hebert, Ms. Watkins, and Mr. McDaniels.  As we settled in with our cookies and water they showed us a powerpoint. It told us of all the different programs that were in court services. There is community service, probation, and day reporting. We learned a lot. I had no idea that there were so many aspects that went into helping people with alternatives to jail time.  So at the end of the day we went home informed, excited about our next day, and dry.