Amid National Push for Criminal Justice Reform, Brooklyn Treatment Court Celebrates Two Decades of Service

As the push to reform the criminal justice system gains steam around the nation, one Brooklyn court is celebrating a milestone in giving addicts a second chance. NY1's Dean Meminger says the treatment court is being hailed as a success.

One by one they shared stories of desperation and despair.

For this woman, drug addiction led to one horrible situation after another.

"I got hit in the face with a two by four and lost 25 teeth," she said.

This man spoke about his willingness to sell a kidney, so he could have money for drugs.

Eventually they were all arrested and hauled into Brooklyn Treatment Court.

They spoke about how that moment helped them to turn their lives around as the court celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

"Nobody knew if this would be successful," said Judge Jo Ann Ferdinand. "Could you really mandate drug addicts to get treatment? And help them in their recovery?"

Judge Ferdinand has been the court's sole judge since it opened, one of the first treatment courts in the country.

She has sentenced more than 5,000 people to treatment instead of prison. More than 3,500 have completed the program.  

Alberto Rodriguez is one of them.

"When I wind up in Rikers Island and I was like you have to be kidding me, this is not you," Rodriguez said. "You got to do better. BTC brought me back from under that darkness."

Participants must complete more than a year of court monitored treatment, be drug free and in school or working, or they will be sent to jail.

"Success is not only their success, not only the court success, but the rest of the community will benefit," said Judge Ferdinand.

Kicking a drug or alcohol addiction is definitely not easy. The people who graduated from this treatment program say they were taught to believe in themselves.

"Being locked up for what, ten dollars, that was low," said Keith Swinton. "Then Brooklyn Treatment Court came along."

"And they helped me to see what was broken and see how I can fix it with their help," said Margarita Garcia. "And I think that in itself is what really worked."

Right now about 250 people are participating in the treatment court looking to end their addictions.