PDP is committed to making sure every client has access to the social work resources needed to support a strong and effective defense. Social workers are always available, and all reasonable attorney requests for a social worker will be granted. The PDP’s social workers work with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, community partners, jail correctional health services, and other community-based organizations to ensure our clients receive comprehensive support and effective advocacy.

The Role of Social Workers in Criminal Cases

PDP’s social workers connect clients with community resources to provide stability and opportunities at rehabilitation. Social workers can coordinate and follow-up with clients who were ordered to comply with court orders which may require community service or therapy. For clients who were incarcerated, social workers can also assist with reentry by helping clients obtain stable housing, identification, and benefits.

PDP’s social workers can also provide mitigation and social history reports, which give a judge a more comprehensive perspective of an individuals’ unique background and can be used to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.

Other social work services provided by our PDP social workers include:

Social Workers Support Holistic Defense

PDP’s head of Social Work leads a panel of experienced social workers and mental health professionals who provide critical support to both clients and attorneys. Through this holistic approach, our social workers play a vital role in advancing our mission of client-centered advocacy and achieving more just outcomes for those we serve.