Program description
When Justice Works is a multi-media campaign aimed at bridging the trust gap that some believe exists between judges and court users. In collaboration with The Center for Health and Justice Transformation, a community-partner organization, the Rhode Island (R.I). Judiciary and the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts used storytelling and compelling imagery to reintroduce court users to sitting judges. The videos highlighted four judges approachable, off-the-bench settings throughout R.I. The campaign consists of a series of short video vignettes and bus placards that humanize Rhode Island’s judges. Against the backdrop of various locations in Providence and surrounding communities that are significant to the featured judge, each shared what they believe “Justice looks like when it works.” Recognizing that in recent years, there have been ample examples of the tragic results when “justice doesn’t work”, the Committee believed that it was important to invite judges and citizens, students, elected officials, and other stakeholders to engage in a positive and aspirational discussion.
Based on the feedback from members of the community, this project has been a huge success. The “When Justice Works” campaign has been a positive constant while additional community outreach projects and programs have launched. Those programs include a series of listening sessions with community service providers and court users on the impact of costs and fines, which have enabled significant concrete steps to be taken been to alleviate the burden of legacy costs and fines.. While much of the positive responses have been anecdotal, the initiation of the program has created new community partnerships and strengthened already existing community partnerships..
Related outcomes
Partnering with organizations including the Center for Health and Justice Transformation, the Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, the Rhode Island School for Design and Cox Communications, the campaign has helped the Judiciary reach an expanded audience and provided new opportunities to spread the message about positive work the courts do.
Additional resources on When Justice Works
Courts call on Rhode Islanders to contemplate what justice looks like in new campaign
Advancing Community Conversations: When Justice Works from State Courts on Vimeo.