ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a major milestone for a group of New Mexicans who never thought they’d get a second chance. “Congratulations to our graduates,” said Chief United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico William Johnson to a full federal courtroom.
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On Tuesday was the inaugural graduation ceremony for a new federal problem-solving court and a moment the three graduate didn’t believe they’d ever get to see. “I had a history of not finishing. Anything I ever did, I never finished it,” said Jarvus Johnson. He, Justin Pacheco, and Jeffery Manning are the three graduates. KRQE News 13 caught up with Johnson and Pacheco before Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
“I had a history since I was like ten of like incarceration,” said Johnson. He and Pacheco both had criminal histories more recently ranging from gun, burglary, and drug charges.
“I’ve lived in the lifestyle since I was a kid, you know, that’s all I’ve ever known,” said Pacheco. They both lived a lifestyle of going in and out of jail until last year. “Getting out of incarceration this time, just tired of being in and out,” said Pacheco. “I thought, you know, this is something that probably can help me get through where I want to be in life. So, I took a chance on it.”
Pacheco and others were given the chance to participate in the new Reentry through Integrated Opportunities, or RIO, program. The new federal problem-solving court was brought to New Mexico last year. KRQE News 13 talked to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office about the new program when it was introduced.
“All the key players kind of came together and said let’s you know, kind of start this,” said Chief Judge Johnson. He was one of those key players to bring the RIO program to New Mexico along with the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, Federal Public Defender’s Office, and others.
The RIO program aims to help people transition from incarceration to the community for good. “You’re always looking for ways for individuals to succeed and make whatever lifestyle changes they need so they don’t get back into the system again,” said Chief Judge Johnson.
Modeled after similar programs in other states, inmates apply to be part of the rigorous 52-week RIO program. It’s full of duties and help from therapy, to financial literacy courses, to even learning everyday tasks like how to get a driver’s license or do taxes. Participants also perform community service. “A lot of things we take for granted that are very challenging for individuals that are incarcerated or you know, transitioning back into the community,” said Chief Judge Johnson.
The RIO program then meets every two weeks where participants give an update on their progress. Participants said it has helped turn the courtroom from a negative place for them into a safe space. “If you mess up and not do something correctly, they basically tell you we’re here to support you,” said Jarvus Johnson.
But too many slip-ups can lead to a participant getting kicked out of the program or even an arrest warrant. Skeptical at first, the graduates said the program changed their interactions with the justice system. “Once I got into the program, I realized like, just because you’re in front of the judge, ain’t nobody judging you,” said Johnson.
The participants were even seen at the graduation hugging the prosecutor whose office would’ve once stood opposite them in court.
“You come here because you are on the other side of ‘United States versus.’ I suspect that many of you have spent time on the other side of ‘versus,” whether it’s United States, State of New Mexico, or State of California. I’ve spent about 15 years of my career on the other side of versus, prosecuting cases and investigating crimes.,” said Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney for District of New Mexico. “One thing that I’ve learned in those 15 years, the conclusion that I’ve come to, is that the versus, it doesn’t exist. At the end of the day, we are one community that has to figure out how we come together to live together in peace.”
For Johnson, the program has helped him get a job and rental assistance. He’s also in the process of getting his commercial driver’s license. Pacheco is also employed and has talked to students in Albuquerque schools about gang and gun violence prevention.
“I love living the life I live now…being able to work, go home, and just enjoying, you know, a normal, healthy, happy life,” said Pacheco.
“You got to want something different out of life. If you want good results you got to put in the good work to get it,” said Johnson. “To me, I call it a second chance program.”
Tuesday’s graduation ceremony consisted of speakers, awarding certificates, and refreshments. Current RIO participants were also in the crowd seeing what could be soon in store for them. “I don’t know how to repay everybody, like, I could cry,” said Johnson to the crowd. “I don’t know how it feels to win the lottery but that’s how I feel today like I won the lottery.”
RIO is also an incentive-based program. Participants who successfully complete it get a year knocked off of their probation. The program currently has 15 people and a growing waiting list. The federal court is now looking to expand the RIO program to Las Cruces.
