The Criminal Justice System and Mental Illness

Friday, May 16, 2025
8:00 am – 10:30 am (Doors open at 7:30. Breakfast will be available.)
The Hemmingson Ballroom, 702 E. Desmet, Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

We are honored to host our guest speaker, Judge Steven Leifman.

Judge Leifman has been a pioneering force in reforming how the criminal justice system handles mental illness. He has been honored by Pope Francis and received the prestigious William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence in 2015, presented by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

His Criminal Mental Health Project includes a post-arrest component that diverts individuals with mental illnesses to treatment centers instead of incarceration. This initiative has seen great results in Miami-Dade, with misdemeanor recidivism dropping from 75% to 20% and felony recidivism falling from 75% to 6%.

Now focused on expanding these reforms nationwide and internationally, Judge Leifman is recognized globally for his contributions to mental health in the criminal justice system.

Doors open at 7:30am and breakfast will be available. The program will begin at 8:00.

We are looking forward to the discussion and will see you there!

The event is free. Thank you to Alliant Employee Benefits and Gonzaga University for your support!

REGISTER HERE: Hello for Good Spring Symposium Tickets, Fri, May 16, 2025 at 7:30 AM | Eventbrite

Through a collaborative effort with business owners, leaders, and community members, Hello for Good strives to create full-spectrum solutions that address addiction recovery, housing, education, job training, and employment to create real and lasting change.

PO Box 25, Spokane WA 99210, helloforgoodspokane@gmail.com.