Assistance to Prisoners With Child Support Orders

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

In 2007, the Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Public Defender created the program, Assistance to Prisoners with Child Support Orders, to fill the gap in legal representation and provide a much needed service to indigent County residents that had not previously existed. Specifically, the program modifies child support orders for clients, sentenced to state prison, by reserving their financial obligation during the time of incarceration. This helps parolees avoid the crushing debt from accumulated child support with interest upon their release. The service is vital as once released, the obligor is left without a legal remedy and the accumulated debt while in prison becomes a lifelong obligation. The program, which can be replicated in other counties throughout the state and country, provides legal representation in the family law courts, and insures that the parolee will have a better chance at successful re-entry and make a positive step back into their community and society. The parolee is better able to gain employment and pay off his child support obligations upon release without the accumulation of debt and enforcement penalties for non-payment.