Smart Justice

Mark DeYmaz, pastor of Mosaic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, passionately discusses his mission to rebuild trust in high-crime neighborhoods. He emphasizes the importance of meeting people's needs for significance and security to prevent violence. DeYmaz shares insights on transforming abandoned spaces into community hubs offering essential services like food and counseling. He highlights the power of collaboration among diverse groups and the vital role of empathy and mentorship in fostering lasting change and hope for future generations.

Send us a textIn 2021, Indianapolis was facing one of the highest homicide spikes in the nation. By 2024, the city had reduced criminal homicides by an astounding 54%. Smart Justice travels to Indiana to explore a bold new strategy that’s transforming how cities tackle gun violence. Known as Indy Peace, the city’s violence reduction model is a three-pronged approach built on intervention, prevention, and neighborhood stabilization—and it’s getting national attention.How can this help other communities? It's a roadmap that’s not cookie-cutter, but replicable—with the right leadership, resources, and patience.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text"Everyone sees a side on the news, but I live it. I have to live this every day."These powerful words from Yolanda Harrison capture the devastating reality of gun violence in America—not as a headline that fades, but as an unending journey of grief that transforms lives forever. Yolanda's story begins with her son Devan: a talented musician, church youth group member, and college student with dreams. Despite growing up in a good neighborhood, attending quality schools, and being raised with strong values, Devan became one of the countless young Black men lost to senseless violence.The night Devan died started ordinarily enough. They had planned to see a movie, but when Yolanda had a headache, Devan went out to meet someone about making music, saying he would return soon. That was the last time she saw him alive. What followed was every parent's nightmare—a middle-of-the-night hospital call, the trauma of seeing her son with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and the fog of grief so thick she doesn't even remember his funeral.The shooter served less than a year on a misdemeanor charge. Media reports falsely suggested drug involvement, reinforcing the very stereotypes Yolanda had worked tirelessly to keep her son from being associated with.From this unimaginable loss emerged purpose. Yolanda founded Mothers of Black Sons Standing Against Death. Her advocacy work spans from partnering with former gang members to serving on the Mayor's Hope Council, all focused on creating paths away from violence for young people.This episode kicks off Smart Justice's special series on Group Violence Intervention (GVI), an evidence-based approach that identifies the small number of individuals driving most violent crime and engages them directly before violence occurs. Through stories like Yolanda's, we see that addressing gun violence requires more than outrage—it demands community-based solutions that offer everyone a shot at hope.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textAround the nation, gun violence is destroying families and weakening communities. And it's becoming a leading cause of death among young people. How can we move beyond just talking about this tragedy to implementing solutions that actually work? Join us for A Shot at Hope, a special series from Smart Justice. We're examining an evidence-based strategy that has already reduced gun violence in communities across the country. So, how does it work? We know that in nearly every city, only a small number of people are driving most of the violence. An approach called Group Violence Intervention (GVI) identifies those individuals and engages with them directly, trying to offer them a way out before the violence occurs. Throughout this series, we'll talk to people whose lives have been forever changed by violence and those hoping to bring the GVI strategy to their communities. And while this approach is a data-driven model focused on measuring outcomes, at its core, it's about human connection.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textThis season of Smart Justice has explored the complexities of juvenile justice, the efforts to straighten the curves of the next generation's lives, and the solutions that are being developed to make a real change in Arkansas. In this final bonus episode, Paul Chapman is joined by some of the prominent voices from throughout this season including the Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam, who first suggested that we explore juvenile justice. Want to learn more about evidence-based approaches transforming juvenile justice? Visit smartjustice.org to explore additional resources and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest developments in this vital field.www.smartjustice.orgExecutive Director of Restore Hope Paul Chapman hosts this podcast. Executive producer is Karen Tricot Steward. Videography and production by Ti King. #justice #juvenile #arkansas #crime #youth #policeSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textImagine being 15 years old, handcuffed, and sitting in a detention cell with no idea what comes next. For Emma (not her real name), this became her reality—not once, but eight times. Her journey from childhood trauma through addiction and into the juvenile justice system reveals how quickly vulnerable youth can spiral when their basic needs go unmet."You don't know how you're going to respond to somebody spitting in your face until somebody spits in your face," says Charles Parkins, reflecting on what detention staff sometimes encounter. As program director at the Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center, Parkins has spent nearly three decades wrestling with a profound question: How do we help troubled kids without causing more harm?This episode explores juvenile detention facilities, where staffing shortages and solitary confinement can create environments that might worsen the very problems they aim to solve. We hear from Brooke Digby, Arkansas's juvenile ombudsman, who advocates for therapeutic approaches over punishment, especially recognizing that for many youth, criminal behavior stems from survival instincts in impossible circumstances. What emerges is a call for rethinking—prevention over detention when possible, community support over isolation, and investing in the adults who shape children's lives. As Parkins puts it, "This is a social problem, not a criminal justice problem." The solution lies in building stronger support systems for families before crises occur. Share your thoughts with us at media@restorehopeio.org and sign up for our weekly updates at smartjustice.org to stay connected with this important conversation.Want to learn more about evidence-based approaches transforming juvenile justice? Visit smartjustice.org to explore additional resources and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest developments in this vital field.www.smartjustice.orgExecutive Director of Restore Hope Paul Chapman hosts this podcast. Executive producer is Karen Tricot Steward. Videography and production by Ti King. #justice #juvenile #arkansas #crime #youth #policeSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textLoss and disconnection lie at the heart of juvenile crime and substance abuse. That's the powerful message from those working on the frontlines of youth justice, including Crystal Davis, who transformed her life after 26 years of addiction to mentor young people in detention."The biggest reason that I've seen is loss—the loss of a family member, the loss of a parent, either to death, divorce, drugs," explains Davis, whose own journey into substance abuse began at age 12. Now she teaches incarcerated youth essential life skills and encourages them to see beyond their current circumstances. "They're normal kids. They just made some bad decisions."Today's juvenile justice landscape reveals troubling trends exacerbated by the pandemic. Judges across Arkansas report skyrocketing truancy rates and unprecedented levels of isolation among young people. "Some portion of those young people didn't feel safe going to school...mostly it was just they didn't want to be around other people," notes Judge Adam Weeks, highlighting how social withdrawal creates fertile ground for mental health crises and substance abuse.What makes the current situation particularly dangerous is the evolution of drug potency. Marijuana wax containing 90% THC and fentanyl-contaminated pills have created an environment where "experimentation" can be deadly. Justin Buck of the Wolfe Street Foundation warns, "Experimentation might seem so innocent or we might have our own experiences with experimentation when we were teenagers. Listen, it's deadly today."This episode explores promising solutions emerging across Arkansas, from specialized family treatment courts to community-based after-school programs. These initiatives reflect a significant shift in juvenile justice philosophy articulated by retired Judge Gary Arnold: "We recognize there are alternatives that are more effective and get better outcomes than simply locking them up."Want to learn more about evidence-based approaches transforming juvenile justice? Visit smartjustice.org to explore additional resources and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest developments in this vital field.Executive Director of Restore Hope Paul Chapman hosts this podcast. Executive producer is Karen Tricot Steward. Videography and production by Ti King. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textWhat if there was a smarter way to approach juvenile justice? One that identifies troubled youth before they commit serious crimes and connects them with resources instead of sending them to detention?Kevin Hunt knows firsthand how easily young people can slip into criminal behavior. Growing up in Little Rock during the notorious "Banging in the Rock" era, Hunt started with stealing coins from fountains before escalating to purse snatching and eventually more serious crimes. Despite having loving family members, the influences of poverty, neighborhood crime, and early exposure to drugs created a pathway to prison. "We just react a lot based off the trauma stuff that we went through," Hunt explains, highlighting how generational trauma drives impulsive behavior.After serving time for firearms offenses, Hunt transformed his life and now leads Lessons Learned, a program helping youth avoid his mistakes. He focuses particularly on elementary students, believing that building confidence and academic skills early prevents later issues.Meanwhile, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, police are pioneering Shield Our Youth, an innovative initiative tackling rising juvenile crime rates. Officer Blake Scott, who once distrusted police himself, leads this effort to identify at-risk youth and connect them with support before they enter the justice system. Rather than immediate arrests, officers investigate underlying issues—like the runaway teen Scott found who did not have a mattress on his bed at home and was being forced to use a trash can as a toilet. Instead of punishment, Scott connected the family with resources and maintained contact to ensure ongoing support.Shield Our Youth coordinates existing community services through specialized software, creating a seamless web of support. "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," explains Captain Stephen Creek about previous disconnected efforts. "All of the resources we need are right here."Want to help troubled youth in your community? Both Hunt and Officer Scott agree: the most valuable contribution is your time. Mentoring, simply showing up at games or performances, or offering homework help can create ripple effects that change a young person's trajectory forever.The Smart Justice podcast is hosted by Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman. Executive producer is Karen Tricot Steward. Production and videography by Ti King. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textThis is not just a story about youth crime—it’s a story about what’s possible when we stop asking ‘what’s wrong with them?’ and start asking ‘what happened to them?’In this episode of Smart Justice, we explore what it means to change the game plan for youth on the edge. We hear powerful testimony from former gang member Antoine Jones, who lost his daughter to gun violence. He shares his journey from the streets to prison, revealing how the absence of family structure drives many young people toward gangs seeking protection and belonging. Now dedicating his life to mentoring troubled youth, Antoine delivers a message of hope.Former football coach Fitz Hill is trying to tackle a devastating reality: In the United States, homicide is the leading cause of death among black males ages 1 to 44. Hill wants to see black males make it to age 45 and come out on top. His initiative, called 1st and 45, exists to bring awareness to the social and economic factors contributing to the epidemic of black male homicides.Juvenile prosecutor Casey Beard provides insights into some alarming trends, noting the shift from minor adolescent offenses to weapon-related crimes, which are often amplified by social media. Her dual approach balances accountability with prevention: "We cannot do harm by trying to turn off the faucet, so why not do it as well?"We also meet Sandy Williams, the director of the North Little Rock Academy. The Academy provides an alternative learning environment, serving students in grades six through twelve, designed to meet the needs of at-risk students who may not thrive in traditional school settings. Drawing from his own childhood in poverty, Williams hopes for year-round schooling and community-based alternatives to suspensions. His perspective challenges our resource allocation: "We are paying more to incarcerate kids than we are to educate those same kids."Ready to learn how your community can implement evidence-based approaches to juvenile justice? Subscribe now and join the movement toward smart justice that transforms lives and neighborhoods for generations to come.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textWhen young people find themselves isolated and without essential support systems, they go down some dangerous paths. Many communities around the nation are seeing a rise in violent crime among youth—and it’s more serious than ever. We take you inside the crisis and highlight solutions. You’ll hear from prosecutors, judges, outreach workers, and teens who’ve lived it. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — as schools closed, community programs were disrupted, and families found themselves under increased stress — many young people became vulnerable to negative influences and started engaging in risky behaviors. They started to feel more anxious and turned to guns for protection and substances for relief. We’ll explore how communities are tackling this challenge, spotlighting innovative solutions designed not only to reduce juvenile crime but also to create pathways to brighter futures. We’ll hear from people directly involved in the juvenile justice system about what’s working, what’s not, and how we can bring hope back to families. With the proper resources and guidance, the damage can be mitigated, but we must take action before things spiral out of control. Featured in this episode:Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi PutnamBillie Jean Mayben of the Youth Empowerment Project in Little RockArkansas Division of Youth Services Director Michael CrumpArkansas Division of Youth Services Assistant Director of Treatment Kimberly Key-BellArkansas Division of Youth Services Assistant Director of Prevention Adrian SandersSmart Justice is a production of Restore Hope. Executive Director is Paul Chapman. Associate Directors are Karen Phillips and Sarah Littleton. Executive producer of the podcast is Karen Tricot Steward. Videography and production by Ti King. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/