Justice Speaks Podcast #81:

In Episode 81 of Justice Speaks, we continue our deep dive into the pivotal role of State Treatment Court Coordinators. Sponsored by Reconnect, this episode features Richard Gordon, Iowa’s sole statewide coordinator, a man whose journey from defense attorney to systems reformer is as compelling as the work he’s leading.

From Florida Courtrooms to Iowa’s Frontlines

Richard Gordon didn’t start his career in treatment courts. He started in defense. But after years in the trenches, he saw the gaps and the potential. That led him into treatment court work in Florida, then to Maine, and now Iowa, where he’s shaping the future of five treatment court models across the state: drug, mental health, veterans, juvenile, and impaired driving courts.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Gordon gives an unfiltered look at the realities of building and sustaining a statewide treatment court system when you’re the only one overseeing it. He talks about:

• The slow but steady expansion of Iowa’s treatment courts

• Innovative efforts like new impaired driving tracks and rural transportation pilots

• The funding promises that fell short and how local champions are still getting it done

• The founding of the Iowa Treatment Court Association to unify efforts statewide

• The power of national best practices, training events, and mentor courts in pushing programs forward

Why This Conversation Matters

Iowa’s approach to justice is changing. Courts aren’t just sentencing, they’re healing. But as Gordon makes clear, this evolution depends on strategy, education, and grassroots commitment. Treatment courts work, but only if people understand them, support them, and invest in them.

Listen Now

This is a must-hear episode for anyone working in criminal justice, behavioral health, policy, or community leadership. Richard Gordon’s insights are practical, honest, and packed with lessons for other states.