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Logan Foster
Sep 22

The Unintended Cost of Judge Jason Cichowicz' "Bridge Link" Program

THE 2018 ELECTION:

In St. Joseph County, Indiana, the career of Jason Cichowicz, the St. Joseph County Judge of Probate Court, has become a subject of increasing concern amidst serious allegations of misconduct. Judge Jason Cichowicz, who ascended to office in the narrow 2018 election, defeating his Republican opponent James Fox by a mere 551 votes out of nearly 91,000 ballots, has had his judicial conduct scrutinized and questioned.

CICHOWICZ' JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT/SUSPENSION:

Jason Cichowicz, Photo From Website
Jason Cichowicz Photo: Cichowicz For Judge (Website)

In 2023, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a 45-day suspension against Judge Jason Cichowicz, citing: "extremely serious judicial misconduct, just shy of what might warrant removal from office." This disciplinary action underscores the gravity of his misconduct during his tenure. Complicating matters further is a lawsuit filed by BANK OF AMERICA in 2021, which accused Judge Jason Cichowicz of attempting to transfer $6.7 million from the account of an elderly man, Cartwright, into an account solely under Cichowicz' name. The suit invoked terms like "elder abuse" and "elder financial abuse," casting shadows on the ethical standards expected of a figure in Judge Jason Cichowicz' position.

THE BRIDGE LINK PROGRAM:

Judge Jason Cichowicz is also known for initiating the "Bridge Link Program," which was featured in the “St. Joseph Probate Court 2020 Annual Report Card.” This program, described as "a correctional residential program operated by the Probation Department to serve adolescents who are approaching or beyond 18 years of age and have failed community or residential programs in the past," aims to provide these high-risk youths with further services intended to prevent their recidivism into the adult criminal system.


Cyjarron Odynski, St. Joseph County Jail Photo
Cyjarron Odynski, St. Joseph County Jail

Tragically, one participant in this rehabilitation program, 18-year-old Cyjarron Odynski, was allowed to attend a South Bend Cubs baseball game just 20 days into his 120-day sentence. Seizing the opportunity to escape his probation officer's supervision, Odynski went on the run. During his time at large, he shot and killed 20-year-old Isaiah Walton-Davis, an incident that highlights the dangers of the Bridge Link Program.


Despite these alarming developments, Judge Jason Cichowicz continues to promote the Bridge Link program on his campaign website, stating that "transitioning high-risk youth back into the community can be a complicated and delicate process. That is why Judge Jason Cichowicz established the Bridge Link program." He asserts this initiative under the banner of "Community Safety," yet the reality has proven otherwise, with devastating and life ending consequences. THE UNINTENDED COST OF THE BRIDGE LINK PROGRAM:

The family of Isaiah Walton-Davis, now burdened with over $11,000 in funeral and burial expenses they cannot afford, remains a stark reminder of the unintended impacts of the Bridge Link program. Nearly two months after Walton-Davis was so thoughtlessly killed, his family still struggles to afford a final resting place for him, encapsulating the profound human cost of failed judicial policies like the policy Judge Jason Cichowicz so proudly established. **I want to take a moment here and use this platform to advocate for the Walton-Davis family. If you, or anyone you know is willing to help with the burial costs of the late Isaiah Walton-Davis, the family can use your support. If you feel led to support the Davis Family, you can do so at the following links:

CLOSING:

As we bring this discussion to a close, it is crucial to reiterate the importance of informed decision-making in a vibrant democracy. Just as Franklin D. Roosevelt wisely noted, "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." Being well-informed not only empowers each voter but also strengthens the entire democratic process. With the knowledge shared in this report, you, as constituents, carry the torch of democracy forward, making decisions that will shape the future. Your vote is a powerful expression of your values and vision; wield it with wisdom and purpose. OTHER ARTICLES: Related Redress South Bend Stories:

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