New Head of Special SF Court Keeps the Faith on Alternatives to Prison

Melanie Kushnir-Pappalardo poses for a portrait outside her new office, the Civic Center Courthouse building at 400 McAllister in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. As the new director of drug court, Kushnir wants to create a diversion program for undocumented people and take a more creative approach to the role. | Camille Cohen/The Standard