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Multnomah County, already renowned for its Sanction Treatment Opportunity Progress Court 鈥� aka, drug court 鈥� is celebrating the success of a newer, similar program designed to reduce prostitution and sex trafficking.

The county鈥檚 Sex Buyer Accountability and Diversion Program, established in January 2011, allows first-time offenders to pay $1,000 to attend 鈥淛ohn school鈥� rather than go to jail. They hear how prostitution affects women and children from a former prostitute who now mentors other women who want to leave the trade.

Through a series of presentations, participants also learn about sexually transmitted diseases, the legal consequences of future arrests and relapse prevention. About 60 people have taken part in the program, a joint effort of the Multnomah County District Attorney鈥檚 Office, the Portland Police Bureau and LifeWorks Northwest.

Glen 鈥淛.R.鈥� Ujifusa, the Multnomah County deputy district attorney who oversees the program, tells Briefly Legal how he became involved and what he has learned from it.

Briefly Legal: What made you want to become a prosecutor?

Ujifusa: In law school I had a very influential professor for my first-year Criminal Procedure class. It seemed like the hours of reading cases flew by when dealing with Crim Pro. I then had the opportunity to intern at the Multnomah County District Attorney鈥檚 office as a certified law student. On my first day I was hooked and knew this was the career for me.

BL: How were you selected to lead the Sex Buyer Accountability and Diversion Program?

Ujifusa: At the time I was selected I had been working as the Neighborhood Prostitution Deputy, overseeing all misdemeanor prostitution cases for Multnomah County and working on trafficking and pimping investigations. I think it just made sense to wrap this into the work I was already doing involving prostitution activity and reducing the demand.

BL: How has your work with the program impacted you personally and professionally?

Ujifusa: Having a family, this is another opportunity through the DA鈥檚 office to better my community and to make a difference. Specifically, it鈥檚 a chance to educate individuals about the destructive nature and the exploitation of sex trafficking and prostitution.

This program has re-emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Creating any type of new program has a way of taking unexpected twists and turns as you work through the mechanics of applying it to the criminal justice system.