(BOP) - U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill hosted a panel discussion with 135 inmates at FCI Danbury about the Support Court Program. Support Court is offered to inmates on Supervised Release who have a substance abuse history. Participating in the panel with Judge Underhill were Federal Defender Maria Diaz Sommer, Assistant Federal Defender Kelly Barrett, Assistant United States Attorney Deborah Slater, U.S. Probation Officer Jane Cofone, and U.S. Probation Officer Lisa Van Sambeck.
According to Judge Underhill, "Support Court, is more than just a name, it is an opportunity for participants to improve their social networking skills, which results in positive outcomes for the community." The Support Court team works together to assist participants with treatment, employment, housing, and being accountable.
Inmate Hector Gonzalez, one of the attendees of the Support Court Panel, was initially sentenced by Judge Underhill in 2003. He shared his thoughts with Judge Underhill and the panel, saying "I thank you and understand you all have a job to do. Change does come from within yourself."