Kushinda Court

Kushinda Court began in the fall of 2021, under the vision and direction of the Honorable Gerald Parker. The Supreme Court of Ohio Specialized Docket Section granted certification to Kushinda Court in 2024. The word “kushinda” means to conquer, defeat, or overcome in Swahili.

Kushinda Court is designed to facilitate effective, evidence-based treatment of 18-29 year old Black male offenders from urban communities who have been placed on intensive community supervision. Prior to Kushinda Court’s inception, there was no programming designed specifically to address the unique recidivism risks associated with these offenders. Kushinda Court participants meet every other week with Judge Parker and are also required to attend additional sessions based on the Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy (HEAT) curriculum on alternating weeks. Participants may be required to meet with their probation officers anywhere from one to five times a week, depending on their individual circumstances. Kushinda Court is the first specialized docket of its kind in the state of Ohio.

Participation Criteria:

Open to Black male clients 18-29 years old who are granted Intervention in Lieu of Conviction or Community Control with a moderate or higher ORAS score.

Graduation Criteria:

To graduate from Kushinda Court, offenders must complete the 9-month HEAT curriculum, complete community service, have no new criminal offenses, and abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol.

Schedule:

Kushinda Court is held on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. at the Courthouse located at 41 N. Perry Street.