July 2025 Newsletter

We’re excited to introduce LEL’s new website!

Our redesigned site not only features a brand-new look but also makes it easier to share information and showcase LEL’s mission, priorities, and advocacy. New features include a FAQ section, events page, media and recruitment inquiry forms, a site-wide search bar, a filterable advocacy document library, and a news section for original content – all designed to reach a broader audience and elevate our collective voice. It will also provide new opportunities for members to contribute content and share innovations and updates from across the field. Stay tuned for more!

Read here for news on some of our work in the second quarter of 2025 – in-person meetings, advocacy efforts, and more.

EVENTS

Criminal Justice Innovations in a Polarized Climate Panel at William & Mary Law School (April 8, 2025)

On April 8th, LEL co-hosted an event with William & Mary Law School’s Center for Criminal Justice Policy and Reform, as part of its Unlocking Justice Series. The conversation explored how law enforcement finds common ground across political divides to build trust, reduce recidivism, and create safer and healthier communities

The panel featured LEL members Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough of Forsyth County, North Carolina; Former Police Chief Louis Dekmar of LaGrange, Georgia; Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales of Portsmouth, Virginia; and Senior Counsel Ruby Nidiry. Special thanks to long-time LEL member Kami Chavis, Director of the William & Mary Center and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, for helping us organize this event and moderating the discussion.

Watch the full panel recording here!

(Recording password: XjMpp7?J)

LEL Spring 2025 Convening (June 13, 2025)

On June 13th, LEL hosted its annual Spring Convening at NYU Law, bringing together 25 members to reflect on LEL’s role in the evolving criminal justice policy landscape, discuss the current challenges to reform, and spotlight innovations led by our members.

The day began with opening remarks from Ruby Nidiry, Advisory Board Chair Ron Serpas, and John Kowal, the Brennan Center’s Vice President of Program Initiatives. In the first panel an ideologically diverse group of experts shared their insights on the federal landscape, prospects for justice reform, and how LEL members can help to advance their advocacy priorities. Moderated by, Brennan Center Senior Policy Strategist JC Hendrickson, the speakers included: Timothy Head, President and CEO of Unify.US; Jessica Jackson, CEO of Reform Alliance; and Saurabh Sanghvi, Chief Counsel for Immigration and Criminal Justice for U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE); and David Ryan, Senior Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Health and Reentry Project (HARP).

Policy Associate Jessie Brenner then moderated a conversation with LEL members who shared reforms they have implemented to provide practical solutions to public safety problems, including:

• County Attorney John Choi of Ramsey County, Minnesota, on substantially improving clearance rates for non-fatal homicides and reducing carjackings and auto thefts through collaborative efforts with law enforcement and building trust with community members;
• Former Police Chief Lou Dekmar on working with a researcher to develop technology that has dramatically reduced child deaths in Georgia by coordinating rapid response and expediting the provision of wraparound services;
• Sheriff Elias Diggins of Denver, Colorado, on successfully implementing a pilot program to facilitate voting in jails that is now state law in Colorado, and remodeling in-person visitation to make the experience less traumatic for children and families; and
• Sheriff Peter Koutoujian of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, on creating specialized jail units to address the unique needs of veterans and older adults.

In the afternoon, Ruby Nidiry facilitated a conversation with Amy Solomon, former Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at the Department of Justice and now Senior Fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, that provided a deep dive on DOJ grants recently cut by the administration and the implications for public safety and law enforcement. The full CCJ report is included in our recommended reading section below.

Finally, the day concluded with a closed-door session for LEL members to debrief and brainstorm how to be involved in advocacy efforts and public education on topics like the importance of reentry services and the impact of Medicaid and other funding cuts on public safety, among others. Please stay tuned for more follow-ups.

Thank you to all of our members who attended the event. As always, we welcome any feedback or thoughts.

ADVOCACY

In this quarter, LEL continued to advocate for evidence-based reforms that enhance public safety, support successful reentry, correct and prevent wrongful convictions, and improve access to treatment.

In March, LEL joined a letter advocating for the continued funding of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) (S.1194/S.3846) in the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. As a program with bipartisan support, JMHCP supports initiatives for people with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders by diverting people from the criminal justice system into treatment and comprehensive supportive services.

In April, LEL joined a diverse group of advocates, healthcare providers, and public health professionals in a letter endorsing the reintroduction of the Reentry Act (H.R.2586). The bipartisan legislation would allow Medicaid to reimburse medical services provided to incarcerated individuals during the 30-day period prior to the individual’s release, restoring access to life-saving addiction and mental health treatment.

Also in April, LEL endorsed provisions in the FY2026 CJS bill that will provide: continued funding of the Second Chance Act (H.R.1593/S.3635) to reduce recidivism rates and address reentry needs; and funding of up to $40 million to support the implementation of the Federal Prison Oversight Act (H.R.3019) in partnership with Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and 25 other organizations.

In May, LEL joined a letter urging Congress to fund innocence work and forensic science programs, including the Wrongful Conviction Review Program and the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Program. These programs help to increase accuracy and fairness and to address significant racial disparities.

Also in May, LEL signed a letter in support of the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1843/H.R.3552) to reauthorize critical reentry grant programs and enhance services for housing, childcare, career training, and treatment for substance use disorders.

In June, LEL joined a letter urging Congress to allocate and protect $115 million for the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program within the Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill. This program provides competitive grants to nonprofit workforce development organizations to provide employment and reentry services for individuals with criminal legal histories and for youth who have not completed school.

WELCOME TO LEL’S NEWEST MEMBER!

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest LEL member!Executive Director Tom Ross

Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, State of Utah

Tom Ross has been the Executive Director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice for the State of Utah since January 2021. Prior to working for the state, he served 34 years in law enforcement in Bountiful City, Utah, with 14 of those years as the Chief of Police. He also served as president of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association for five years. During his tenure as president, he worked closely with legislators and community leaders on numerous legislative issues impacting all facets of criminal justice. 

Director Ross has served on several boards and committees for civic organizations and social service providers with an emphasis on two of the most prevalent issues influencing the criminal justice system: substance use and mental health. He was instrumental in developing a variety of programs to address these issues, including creating mobile crisis outreach and establishing a criminal justice receiving center designed to serve individuals struggling with substance use and mental health issues in lieu of law enforcement filing criminal charges.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE NETWORK

In their own jurisdictions, LEL members continue to advocate for and lead the implementation of a wide array of innovative criminal justice strategies to enhance public safety, strengthen community relationships, and improve accountability. Here are some highlights:

Community Engagement & Public Safety Initiatives

• Seattle (WA) Police Chief Shon Barnes spoke at a community safety town hall to address residents’ concerns about recent gunfire incidents and broader public safety issues.
• Brooklyn (NY) District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and the New York Police Department hosted a gun buyback event that collected 195 firearms in a single day. Over the past few years, the initiative has allowed people to turn in more than 500 guns, helping make their communities safer.
• The Forsyth County (NC) Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, has actively engaged with the community by visiting neighborhoods and libraries to discuss local public safety policies, allowing people to ask questions and express concerns.
• Sheriff Kimbrough also credits a community-wide effort for the county’s 19% decline in violent crime and 9% decline in property crime since January 2024.
• Congratulations to former Seattle (WA) Police Chief and LEL Advisory Board Member Kathleen O’Toole for her appointment as a board member for the Center for Policing Equity, a cross-sector organization measuring the impact of alternatives to policing and developing tools to foster community-led public safety efforts.
• Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff Dawanna Witt cut the ribbon on the county’s new public safety headquarters to better equip the emergency services division to respond to community needs, ushering in a new era of public safety that puts the community first.

Accountability & Equity

• Under the leadership of Dane County (WI) Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, the Sheriff’s Office promoted Shuntia Lucas to sergeant, marking the first African American woman to hold this rank in the office’s history. Sheriff Barrett hopes her achievement will inspire more young Black girls to consider careers in law enforcement.
• Former Los Angeles (CA) Police Chief Charlie Beck and former Superintendent of the Chicago (IL) Police Department Garry McCarthy discussed the importance of trust and credibility as central to effective leadership in law enforcement on an episode of “Wearing the Badge,” a series hosted by Superintendent McCarthy exploring policing issues.
• Fairfax County (VA) Police Chief Kevin Davis implemented a formal foot pursuit policy and launched a public-facing dashboard to track foot pursuit data in real time to promote transparency and accountability while maintaining officer and public safety.
• Co-founder and President of the Center for Policing Equity, Tracie Keesee, visited Belgium as a member of the UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement to explore how policies and practices governing use of force against African Americans can be reformed to ensure accountability, access to justice, and redress.
• Aurora (CO) Police Auditor Jeff Schlanger and the Aurora Police Community Advisory Council held a town hall providing public updates on progress towards compliance with the state-imposed consent decree, including reforms in training, accountability, use-of-force policies, data systems, and community engagement.

Victim Support & Harm Reduction

• Contra Costa County (CA) District Attorney Diana Becton advocated for the state legislature to increase funding for victim services in light of recent federal cuts.
• Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi, alongside St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, announced the continued partnership with the Sexual Assault Collaboration Initiative, including a dedicated forensic scientist prioritizing sexual assault cases and an additional $40,000 to train officials on understanding the experiences of survivors.
• Brooklyn DA Gonzalez hosted the 40th Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil in partnership with other New York district attorneys, the New York Attorney General, and the Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims to honor loved ones and commend the strength of survivors.
• DA Gonzalez also hosted an Older Americans Month celebration to focus on senior safety and provide resources for preventing crimes against older adults, with over 100 attendees.
• Richland County (SC) Sheriff Leon Lott and local law enforcement leaders participated in Walk a Mile in Our Shoes, a walk around the statehouse to raise awareness about and prevent sexual violence.
• St. Louis (MO) Sheriff Gordon Ramsay announced mental health as the top priority for his office, with new efforts to support officer wellness and foster a culture of awareness.
• Former San Francisco (CA) Police Chief William Scott and his officers participated in the third annual Denim Day to support survivors of sexual assault, recognize advocates, and educate attendees about all forms of sexual violence.
• Dane County (WI) Emergency Management Director Charles Tubbs highlighted the importance of two naloxone vending machines installed outside two hospitals to provide harm reduction supplies free of charge.

Rehabilitation & Reentry

• North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Colby Bruan spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC), a new women’s facility focused on rehabilitation and reentry.
• Denver (CO) Sheriff Elias Diggins unveiled a remodeled jail visitation space and launched a new policy allowing people to wear regular clothes during contact visits to reduce the trauma of incarceration for families and children.
• Sheriff Diggins also opened a new housing unit at the Denver jail designed to specifically support veterans through rehabilitation, personal growth, and successful reintegration back into the community.
• Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty spoke on an R-Street panel about the positive impacts of access to medication for substance use during and after incarceration.
• Former Hennepin County (MN) Attorney Mark Osler launched the Federal Expungement Initiative with a team of experts to develop a clear, comprehensive process for expunging federal convictions, providing a meaningful opportunity for restoration and second chances.
• The Michigan Department of Corrections, under the leadership of Heidi Washington, partnered with community organizations to host Reentry United, bringing together members of the parole board, formerly incarcerated individuals, MDOC reentry and education staff, and state agencies to share resources and better prepare people returning home.
• Director Washington also announced a new data report showing continued declines in Michigan’s prison, parole, and probation populations and the second-lowest recidivism rate in the state’s history, highlighting the success of evidence-based practices centered on rehabilitation. 

SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES… 

UPDATED: Medicaid’s Role in Advancing Reentry: Key Policies, Health and Reentry Project (HARP) (April 2025) — Updates to HARP’s Medicaid fact sheet with at-a-glance information on new reentry policies, including nationwide continuity of care policies for youth and young adults leaving incarceration, state work through Medicaid 1115 reentry waivers, and state planning grants to support implementation.

Justice Department’s Grant Cuts Endanger Public Safety, Ruby Nidiry, Brennan Center for Justice (April 2025) — Examines the public safety risks of the federal grant cuts, highlighting the widespread disruption to proven, bipartisan programs that support victims, assist law enforcement, reduce recidivism, and strengthen community safety.

Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies as States Resume Routine Operations Following the Unwinding of the Pandemic-Era Continuous Enrollment Provision, KFF (April 2025) — Summarizes national survey data on how states handle Medicaid eligibility during incarceration, finding that most suspend coverage and are increasingly moving toward automated suspension processes.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts, Amy Solomon & Betsy Pearl, Council on Criminal Justice (May 2025) —Analyzes the administration’s termination of 373 OJP grants initially valued at $819 million, and the impacts of these unprecedented cuts on the 221 affected organizations and broader public safety efforts, as part of CCJ’s Justice in Perspective series.

Potential Impact of Proposed Funding Cuts in Leaked HHS Budget on SUD Treatment & Harm Reduction Services, Legal Action Center (May 2025) — Outlines the potential harmful impacts of proposed cuts and restructuring in the 2026 HHS budget such as undermining overdose prevention, harm reduction, and reentry-focused treatment services by eliminating key SAMHSA and CDC grants that support naloxone distribution, community-based care, and diversion.

From Punishment to Prevention: A Better Approach to Addressing Youth Gun Possession, The Sentencing Project (June 2025) — Examines the rise in punitive responses to youth gun possession, highlighting racial disparities and limited public safety benefits, and recommends shifting toward prevention strategies such as diversion, community-based supports, and violence interruption programs.