Our Mission

Most of society sees an arrest as the end to a promising life. For clients of GJP, we see it as the beginning. GJP is an unlikely mix of lawyers, social workers and a landscape company. GJP provides justice, opportunity and hope to poor people accused of crimes and, win or lose, we stand with our clients while they rebuild their lives. We believe this is the only way to break the cycle of poverty and crime.

Founded in 1986, GJP’s mission is to eliminate injustices in the criminal justice system experienced by poor people who are the most often accused and to provide them with resources to advance their human potential, proving that the cycle of poverty and crime can be broken.

 Our Approach

GJP leverages a clients desire for good legal representation-a free lawyer, with the opportunity to address the underlying issues that are directly linked to the person's arrest. With decades of experience serving this at-risk population, GJP understands the unique catalytic opportunity and engages the necessary social service support plan to address the social, environmental and mental health issues faced by the client along with job training and employment opportunities to positively redirect their lives, and that of their families, thus facilitating positive change with long term goals and solutions to rechart their lives toward maximum self-sufficiency where they contribute, in a meaningful way to their communities.

GJP carefully selects which clients it takes and has the freedom to do so because it receives no government grants.  Private donations from foundations, corporations, individuals and religious groups fund the efforts of GJP. People are initially referred to GJP because they have a criminal case pending and cannot afford an attorney. They become GJP clients if they are committed to making a life change and will work to become productive members of society. GJP staff from its legal, social services, and employment programs work together with the client to carry out this mission.  What makes this approach unique is that it is:

• Holistic. The client's initial contact with GJP includes both a legal and social work assessment. A comprehensive case management plan is then developed as a team. Services include legal representation, a full range of social services, job training, and employment opportunities through placement. If convicted, GJP visits clients in prison, advocates for their needs while in prison and provides post-release support.
• Entrepreneurial. GJP started a company. All GJP clients are eligible for pre-disposition and post-release employment in its company, New Horizon Landscaping (NHL). New Horizon Landscaping has provided quality lawn care services since 1993. It offers an opportunity of job training and steady employment for the clients served by the Georgia Justice Project.
• Relationship-driven. At GJP, we seek long lasting, redemptive relationships with our clients. During the initial stage (legal representation), we establish a foundation of trust upon which all subsequent services are built. We make sure our representation is both thorough and personal and that the client is involved in all stages of the representation, not just at the courthouse on the day of trial. And the relationship continues long after the case is over. It is common for staff to spend time with clients whose cases have been over for years through structured services (e.g. counseling, employment through one of our social venture businesses, or other informal supportive ways. Our clients know that there are folks who care about them.
• A Partnership. Clients work with staff to develop their individual case management plans outlining goals and expectations.  Clients must then fulfill their part to continue to receive services.
• Independent.  The GJP is supported solely by private sources. By not seeking government funding, we maintain an independent status with regard to the court system. Thus, we have total control of our caseloads and can reverse the way legal services have been traditionally available to the poor.
• Successful.  GJP lawyers and social workers have been using this approach for more than 20 years and it works.  The recidivism rate for GJP clients is 18% compared to a national average of more than 60%. The incarceration rate for GJP clients is 7.30% compared to an average of 71.30% in a study of urban public defender offices.