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Section Holds Inaugural Criminal Justice Congress
The Criminal
Justice Section convened the first annual Criminal Justice Congress. This was a new endeavor through which several organizations joined with
Section representatives and other criminal justice partners to address
complex issues concerning the proper and just operation of the criminal
justice system.
We had outstanding representation
from key stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Representatives came from the Department
of Justice, Federal Public Defenders, International Association of Chiefs
of Police, National Association of Attorneys General, National Association
of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Black Police Association, National
District Attorneys Association, The National Judicial Conference, National
Legal Aid & Defender Association, and the ABA.
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CJS Reentry and Collateral
Consequences co-chair Lance Ogiste with NOBLE rep. David Owens and
National Black Police Assoc. chair John Hayes continue a lively debate
from a morning breakout session
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CJS Race and Racism co-chair
Wayne McKenzie listens intently as Kin E. Ng of the Kings County (NY) D.A.’s
Office makes his case.
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Bobby Vassar,
Majority Chief Counsel, House Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security
Committee; Douglas Burris, Chief U.S. Probation Officer, Eastern Dist. of
Missouri; April Frazier, DC Public Defender Office, Community Reentry
Program; CJS Prosecution Function co-chair David Barber; and CJS CLE
Board chair Catherine Beane participated in a panel discussion on
employment-related reentry issues.
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While each organization brought
a different perspective, we soon realized that a common theme rang
true: It is time to move beyond
discussion – and time to take appropriate steps to create a criminal
justice system that the public can believe in.
The initial Congress focused on
two primary challenges for the criminal justice system: Improving Cross Cultural Communication
and Reentry/Collateral
Consequences.
As a result of this focus, the
Congress identified four core areas to address these issues: Policy
Development, Outreach, Designated Committee Work, Continuing Legal
Education and Publications.
A highlight of the Congress was
a panel discussion titled “Employment-Related Reentry Issues Facing the
Criminal Justice System” – which featured a Probation Officer, Public
Defender, District Attorney, and Congressional Representative – which
addressed the critical role employment plays in successful reentry into the
community post-incarceration. Facilitated discussions went to the heart of
this issue. What transpired was a
clear recognition of the role of race, culture, fairness, and integrity
plays in the criminal justice system.
We packed a sizeable amount of
content and discussion into two days of meetings.
It was well worth the
effort. We expect that there will be
substantive materials and follow-up as a direct result of this Congress.
The Congress could not have been
successful without the hard work of the staff and the adroit skills of our
facilitators. I would like to
personally thank David Barber and Catherine Beane for their outstanding job
in facilitating this two-day event, and a special recognition to the vision
and persistence of the Section leadership over the last three years who
were faithful in making this Congress a reality.
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