Jessica is a single mom who was accused of robbery. She is being detained in prison before and during trial as she cannot post bail. This has upended her life; she is now separated from her young son, and she has lost her job. She fears that her involvement with the criminal justice system will decrease her prospects for finding a job, and she worries about housing instability. Unable to afford a lawyer, she turns to Restoring Justice, hoping that someone will listen to her and defend her case as well as help her and her family find stability in their lives.

This user persona ties into an insight derived from our CP interview that many individuals accused of crimes do not have access to legal representation. Our secondary research and CP interview moreover revealed that imprisonment leads to declining prospects for employment, separation from family, and increased risk for food insecurity and housing instability. This is why Restoring Justice offers holistic social services and practices a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to catalyze healing.