Philadelphia. (Photo: Delmas Lehman – Fotolia)

The Defender Association of Philadelphia has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the R.K. Mellon Family Foundation to help educate community members facing prosecution about the intricacies of the criminal justice system, the association announced.

The grant from the Pittsburgh-based Mellon Foundation will go toward Philadelphia's seven Participatory Defense Hubs, established in 2018 as a resource for defendants and their families.

According to the Defender Association, the program uses community-based, trained volunteers and facilitators give participants a better understanding of law enforcement and the court's expectations from them at each stage of the criminal justice process. That includes meetings with legal representation, court dates and other important aspects of their case.

"Winning these awards is a big deal because it shows that foundations, the public, and other charitable funding sources are starting to recognize the value of participatory defense programs," said Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey in a statement Monday. "This continues the momentum to make the case to the public and elected officials."

"These community-based hubs are already making a huge difference in people's lives. These funds will help them boost the impact they're already having in their neighborhoods," Bradford-Grey continued. "It's a testament to what can happen when we work together to highlight the importance of participatory defense for just outcomes in the criminal justice system."

The Mellon Foundation provides grants for conservation, education, human services and regional economic development in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but occasionally extends to areas outside of its region.

"Our Participatory Defense Hubs are mostly run by volunteers who are extending themselves to help their neighbors navigate the criminal justice system," Martha Williams, a hub leader, said. "These funds will give our hubs more resources to help us provide knowledge and support to even more people in our community."

The Mellon Grant follows a $100,000 Philadelphia Foundation grant awarded to the Defender Association in July, also for the defense hubs.

In recent years, Philadelphia has seen a shift toward criminal justice reform that has come in the shape of city-formed working groups, and even the District Attorney's Office.

Most notably, there has been a tectonic shift toward the elimination of cash bail. District Attorney Larry Krasner has already stopped the pursuit of cash bail for low-level offenders. And in July, the state Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into the city's bail system.

The justices want answers on the "systemic failures of the First Judicial District to properly conduct cash bail matters pursuant to current law." The order outlined the process for the inquiry, and appointed McKean County Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge John M. Cleland as special master overseeing the proceedings.

According to the order, FJD President Judge Idee Fox and Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan will have a chance to participate in the proceedings, as well as the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The order also said the inquiry will include suggesting actions the Supreme Court could take to respond to these allegations, but added that, "Any attempt to advocate for the abolition of cash bail will not be entertained."