Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy unveiled an ambitious new diversion program Monday that aims to redirect thousands of nonviolent offenders away from the criminal justice system and into community-based intervention services. The initiative, called the Detroit Community Resolution Initiative, launches July 1 and represents a significant shift in how the prosecutor’s office handles low-level drug possession, retail fraud, and misdemeanor property crimes.
Worthy announced the program at a packed press conference at the Guardian Building in downtown Detroit, flanked by judges, community advocates, and representatives from local nonprofits who will administer the services. She emphasized that the approach does not diminish accountability but rather provides a more effective path to rehabilitation.
“We know incarceration alone does not transform lives,” Worthy said. “This program keeps people connected to their families, their jobs, and their communities while addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. That is how we create lasting change.”
The prosecutor’s office projects the program will divert approximately 2,400 cases annually from prosecution. Eligible participants must be charged with specific misdemeanor and low-level felony offenses and have no history of violent crimes. Those who complete the program successfully will have charges dismissed and records expunged.
How the Program Works
Under the new framework, eligible defendants will be offered the option to participate instead of facing traditional prosecution. Participants must complete a series of requirements tailored to their circumstances, which may include substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, job training, financial literacy classes, or community service.
The program’s duration varies based on individual needs but typically ranges from three to six months. Cases are monitored through a centralized database that tracks participant progress. Case managers from partnering organizations like the Detroit-based nonprofit Community Resources and Services Group will work directly with participants.
Those who fail to comply with program requirements can be returned to the traditional prosecution track. However, Worthy’s office reports that similar diversion programs in other jurisdictions show completion rates exceeding 75 percent.
“We have built in flexibility and support,” said Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Kim, who helped design the initiative. “Our goal is success, not punishment.”
Partnership With Community Organizations
The program relies on partnerships with twelve Detroit-area nonprofits and social service agencies. The organizations receiving funding include Community Resources and Services Group, Detroit Health Department’s addiction services division, Focus: HOPE, and several smaller grassroots organizations operating in neighborhoods most affected by criminal justice system involvement.
The Wayne County Commission approved $4.2 million in funding for the program’s first year. The money covers staff salaries for case managers, program administration, and service delivery. Worthy’s office anticipates requesting continued funding in future budget cycles.
“This is a chance to invest upstream,” said Yolanda Walls, executive director of Community Resources and Services Group. “When we address why people are committing crimes, we prevent future offenses.”
The participating organizations will provide services at multiple locations throughout Wayne County, with a concentration of sites in Detroit. Evening and weekend programming will be available to accommodate working participants.
Community Response
Civil rights organizations and criminal justice reform advocates praised the announcement. The Michigan Justice Center and the Detroit-based nonprofit MOSES both issued statements supporting the initiative as a step toward reducing mass incarceration in the state.
However, some law enforcement groups expressed concerns about accountability. The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police declined to comment directly but noted in past statements that they prefer transparent prosecution processes.
Eligible Offenses
The program covers a specific list of charges including simple drug possession, possession of paraphernalia, first and second offense retail fraud, malicious destruction of property under $1,000, retail breaking and entering, and certain misdemeanor theft charges. It does not apply to crimes involving violence, sexual conduct, or repeat felony offenses.
Worthy emphasized that the program does not protect individuals who pose a public safety risk. “Every case will be evaluated carefully,” she said. “We will never compromise community safety.”
Implementation Timeline
The prosecutor’s office begins accepting applications from community organizations April 1. Training for case managers and administrative staff begins May 15. The program officially launches July 1, with the first cohort of participants expected to enroll within the first month.
Worthy plans to review the program’s outcomes after one year to determine whether expansion is feasible. If successful, she indicated the model could potentially be expanded to additional offenses or neighboring counties.
The initiative reflects a broader national trend toward diversion and alternative justice approaches, particularly in urban areas dealing with overburdened court systems. Similar programs operate in jurisdictions including San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Worthy, who has served as Wayne County Prosecutor since 2017, has increasingly focused her office on crimes of violence while seeking alternatives for lower-level offenses. Her approach aligns with recommendations from the Council on Criminal Justice, which has called for greater use of diversion for nonviolent cases.
Eligible individuals charged with qualifying offenses will be informed of the program option at their preliminary examination or during plea negotiations. Participation is voluntary, though prosecutors will encourage eligible defendants to participate.
