Russell County Specialty Court Program earns recognition

The Russell County Specialty Court Program has been recognized for its exceptional work, receiving the George Furgueron Memorial Award from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts and the Alabama Court Referral Program. The award, presented during the Annual Court Referral Joint Conference in Orange Beach, Alabama, highlights the program’s outstanding service and dedication to Court Referral Programs.

The Russell County Specialty Court Program oversees the Adult Treatment Courts, which include Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Court. Over the past year, these courts have successfully graduated more than 24 participants. These graduates not only avoided incarceration or had their charges dismissed but also gained valuable tools for recovery and reintegration. The program boasts a recidivism rate of less than 15%, a stark contrast to the 60% rate without intervention, demonstrating its significant impact on participants and the broader community.

In addition to this recognition, two members of the Russell County Court Referral team were honored individually for their contributions: Sharon George, Russell County Court Referral Officer, received the William "Bill" Chapman Memorial Award for her unwavering commitment to the training and professional development of Court Referral Program personnel statewide, and Angela Harp, Phenix City Court Referral Officer, was awarded the Howell Heflin Award for her significant contributions to the overall progress and maintenance of the Court Referral Program.

“Our team’s dedication to improving lives and reducing recidivism is at the heart of our success,” said Tommy Powell, the program’s coordinator.

The staff of the Russell County Adult Courts includes Powell, case managers Debbie Britton and Diana Bell, Judge Michael Bellamy, prosecutor Steven Knapp, and defense attorneys Chuck Floyd and Larry Cooper. This team also oversees the Russell County Family Dependency Drug Court and the Juvenile Drug Court, making Russell County one of the few in Alabama to operate all five specialized courts.

Judge Bellamy reflected on the program’s impact: “These awards are a testament to the hard work and compassion of our team. We’re not just enforcing the law; we’re transforming lives.”

The accolades highlight the Russell County Court Referral Program’s pivotal role in Alabama’s justice system and its contributions to advancing recovery-focused alternatives to incarceration. As these programs continue to grow and evolve, they stand as models of innovation, collaboration, and community care in the justice system.