Seattle University NLG member Bette Fleishman has been  awarded the 2010 Leadership for Justice Fellowship from Seattle University School of Law.

Bette Fleishman (SU Law '10) will work at Disability Rights Washington to address the criminalization of individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries in county jails across the state of Washington. During her year-long fellowship, she will work to change how county jails and the state Department of Corrections deal with inmates through coalition building, advocacy, training, monitoring and possibly litigation or legislation.

"Solving the global problem of excessive and inhumane incarceration of people with disabilities cannot be remedied in a single year," Fleishman said. "However, a significant impact can be made on the immediate needs of Washington inmates. A disproportionate number of inmates in jails are disabled, and the jails are not equipped to serve them."

Her goals are to establish two model correctional facilities, identify alternatives to incarceration; create enhanced standards of care; increase the knowledge and skill of lawyers, jails and correctional administrators; and develop a long-term plan.

Seattle University School of Law is the only law school in the state to offer a post-graduate fellowship. It provides a salary of $40,000 for one year to a graduate to work with a host organization on a specific social justice project.

Fleishman has a lifelong interest in issues involving disability and incarceration. A licensed behavioral health counselor, she worked for 25 years with nonprofit organizations before attending law school. Her experience includes working on prison-based treatment programs, establishing a residential program for incarcerated women with addictive and co-occurring mental health issues, and directing a rape crisis center.

"I am committed and passionate about these issues and want to use the privilege of law school to erase the barriers that exist to keep the law out of reach to many individuals," she said.

Fleishman has been active in the equal justice community while in law school. She is a member of the state Justice Without Barriers subcommittee, served as a Rule 9 extern for the Associated Counsel for the Accused, and volunteered with the Unemployment Law Project and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.