The National Summit on Justice Reinvestment and Public Safety: Addressing Recidivism, Crime, and Corrections Spending
Overview
In April 2009, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) called on the Council of State Governments and the Pew Center on the States to convene state and federal leaders for a summit on the latest knowledge about reducing recidivism and applying the justice reinvestment approach to manage the growth in corrections populations nationwide.
In January 2010, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, in partnership with the Pew Center on the States, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Public Welfare Foundation hosted the first national summit on justice reinvestment. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressmen Alan Mollohan (D-WV), Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Adam Schiff (D-WA) delivered remarks at the summit. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered remarks via a previously taped message. The summit was attended by a broad cross-section of leaders in government and criminal justice who expressed interest in learning about data-driven, fiscally responsible policies and practices that can increase public safety and reduce recidivism and spending on corrections.
Summary Report
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Multimedia
Photos
Videos
Opening Session of the National Summit on Justice Reinvestment with comments from Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (New York) and Congressman Alan Mollohan (West Virginia).
Part 3: Congressman Schiff and Sen. Whitehouse
Part 5: Attorney General Eric Holder
Part 6: Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson
Part 9: Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb
Justice Reinvestment: Case Studies of Efforts to Reduce Recidivism and Corrections Spending
Panel 1: Focus on Individuals Risk to Public Safety:
Panelists will discuss the need to conduct assessments to determine which individuals are most likely to commit new crimes and pose risks to public safety, and then to focus supervision, interventions, and other resources on addressing factors that drive criminal activity.
MODERATOR: Rep. Michael Lawlor, Co-Chairman, Joint Judiciary Committee, Connecticut
• Ed Latessa, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati
• Doug Marlowe, Ph.D., Director, Division on Law and Ethics Research at the Treatment Research Institute
Panel 2: Base Programs and Practices on Science and Ensure Quality:
This panel will explore strategies to ensure that resources are allocated to those practices, programs, and policies that research has demonstrated reduce recidivism and the need to regularly monitor performance.
MODERATOR: A.T. Wall, Director of Corrections, Rhode Island
• Steve Aos, Ph.D., Director, Washington State Institute for Public Policy
• Glenn Martin, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs, Fortune Society
Panel 3: Implement Effective Policies and Practices:
Members of this panel will highlight state-of-the-art community supervision policies and practices, including responses to violations of conditions of probation and parole that are swift, certain, and proportionate. Speakers will also discuss incentives that can help reduce recidivism.
MODERATOR: Amy Solomon, Senior Research Associate, The Urban Institute
• Tony Fabelo, Ph.D., Director of Research, Council of State Governments Justice Center
• Michael Jacobson, Ph.D., President, Vera Institute of Justice
• Honorable Steven S. Alm, Judge, Hawaii First Circuit Court
Panel 4: Apply Place-Based Strategies:
In nearly every state, there are neighborhoods that receive disproportionately large numbers of people released from prison and jail. Panelists will highlight opportunities to coordinate services and resources to improve safety and the quality of life in these high-stakes communities.
MODERATOR: Eric Cadora, Director, Justice Mapping Center
• Frank Straub, Ph.D., Director for Public Safety, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Sandra Moore, President, Urban Strategies, Inc.
Media
Press Releases
Congressional Leaders Take on Recidivism and Corrections Spending: First National Summit on “Justice Reinvestment” Held on Capitol Hill – 1/28/2010Articles
U.S. Department of Justice Blog – Justice Reinvestment: Reshaping Justice and Reallocating Resources – 1/27/2010Partners
The Pew Center on the States is a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts that identifies and advances effective solutions to critical issues facing states. Pew is a nonprofit organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. For more information, visit www.pewcenteronthestates.org.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, supports law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, victim services, technology, and prevention initiatives that strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system. BJA provides leadership, services, and funding to America’s communities by emphasizing local control; building relationships in the field; developing collaborations and partnerships; promoting capacity building through planning; streamlining the administration of grants; increasing training and technical assistance; creating accountability of projects; encouraging innovation; and ultimately communicating the value of justice efforts to decision makers at every level. Visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/ for more information.
The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. The Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program seeks out opportunities for systems change to reduce the rate of incarceration and prison population in America while ensuring public safety. To learn more about the Public Welfare Foundation, see www.publicwelfare.org.