September 2025 Newsletter

It’s been a busy summer for advocacy and outreach!

Over the past few months, LEL has been developing ideas from our spring convening in June, building advocacy relationships, and working on ways to amplify members’ innovations and priorities.

• As discussed at the spring convening, we are exploring a working group initiative to bring a small number of LEL members together to share expertise on relevant and timely justice policy issues with each other and with the public.
• The first topic we are looking into is a potential LEL working group on rebuilding – and improving – federal grantmaking to better respond to local needs, and more effectively promote innovations that advance safety and justice.
• We are also excited to use our new, improved website as a platform to amplify members’ policies through articles, videos, blog posts, and more.

If you are interested in learning more about these or other initiatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

And as always, we welcome your ideas on advocacy, events, and opportunities for engagement in the months ahead.

EVENTS

LEL director Ruby Nidiry joined an invitation-only convening of advocacy organizations in September to discuss criminal justice reform priorities in the current political climate and strategize bipartisan collaboration, especially around advancing legislation to create safe pathways home from prison. The convening included organizations across the political spectrum, such as Prison Fellowship, Right on Crime, Dream.org, and JustLeadershipUSA. Special thanks to For the People for organizing the meeting, CPAC for hosting, and The Just Trust for sponsoring.

ADVOCACY

Over the summer, LEL continued to advocate for evidence-based reforms to enhance public safety by promoting successful reentry, improving oversight and accountability, and expanding access to treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

In July, LEL endorsed the reintroduction of the Fresh Start Act (S.2590/H.R.3111), led by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del) in the Senate and Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) in the House. The bill would make federal funding available to build automatic expungement systems, helping to remove barriers to employment, housing, and education caused by criminal records. LEL Advisory Board Chair Ronal Serpas was quoted in a Senate press release announcing the bill’s introduction.

Also in July, LEL joined a letter calling for continued funding for the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (LHHS). The REO program provides competitive grants to nonprofit workforce development organizations to provide employment and reentry services for individuals with criminal histories and for young people who have not completed school. The Senate Appropriations Committee included the REO program in its version of the appropriations bill (S.2587) that it approved in August. Unfortunately, the House did not, but we are following its progress.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act (CJS) (S.2354) in July, with the House Appropriations Committee approving their own version (H.R.5342) in September. The CJS appropriations bill is an annual federal spending bill that provides funding for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and several related science, legal, and regulatory agencies. This bill includes allocations for several priorities that LEL has pushed for, such as:

• To fund implementation of the Federal Prison Oversight Act (FPOA), which provides for independent oversight of federal prison facilities. LEL supported this request in April. Fully funding the FPOA was also one of the four priorities in LEL’s Federal Agenda for 2025.
• To fund the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), a federal grant program that supports initiatives for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders who encounter the justice system. LEL called for this in May.
• To fund the Second Chance Act, a critical reentry grant program that enhances services for housing, childcare, career training, and treatment for substance use disorders. LEL also supported this in May.
• To fund innocence and forensic science research programs, including the Wrongful Conviction Review Program and the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Program. These programs help to increase the accuracy, integrity, and fairness of the criminal legal system, address significant racial disparities, provide the most reliable and scientifically robust forensic science tools to stakeholders, and generate greater public safety nationwide. LEL joined a stakeholder letter endorsing this in June.

While several of the allocations received funding below requested levels, they were all maintained at some level in both bills, reflecting bipartisan recognition of their importance.

Also in September, LEL endorsed the reintroduction of the bipartisan BOP Release Card ID Act (H.R. 5152), led by Representatives Barry Moore (R-AL) and Herb Connaway (D-NJ). The bill would issue Real ID-compliant identification cards to people leaving federal prison, helping them obtain employment, housing, and more. Under the proposal, the federal ID could also be traded in for a state ID. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in the coming weeks and was also one of the four priorities in LEL’s Federal Agenda for 2025. 

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 and foster stronger community relationships. Here are some highlights:

Improving Law Enforcement Practices 

• Former Houston (TX) and Miami (FL) Police Chief Art Acevedo joined nine other big-city chiefs to discuss shared challenges and solutions in an interview with a local Albuquerque station while in town for the National Safety of Our Cities Conference. Chief Acevedo emphasized that collaboration across jurisdictions is essential to sustaining progress and building public trust.
• At his swearing in on July 10, Seattle (WA) Police Chief Shon Barnes outlined his priorities – improving community partnerships, officer recruitment, and service through better use of technology.
• Chief Barnes also reported that the city’s Real-Time Crime Center, a crime prevention technology pilot, exceeded expectations after two months and would be expanded. The program provides a single access platform to analyze various sources of police data, such as video and audio feeds, 911 calls, police reports, and other information.
• Former Hennepin County (MN) Attorney Mike Freeman highlighted a new early-intervention programdesigned to keep students in school and out of the justice system. The initiative provides targeted supports like tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services, aiming to address challenges before they escalate.
• Sean Smoot, Chairman of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and Director and Chief Counsel, Police Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois, applauded the recent enactment in Illinois of Anna’s Law, which will expand trauma training, procedures, and practices for officers. He noted that the legislation will help to ensure that officers are appropriately trained to “respond to victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse with the utmost sensitivity, empathy and professionalism.”
• At a press conference on the Pathways to Policing Act (R. 3408), proposed bipartisan federal legislation that would provide $100 million each year for five years to support law enforcement recruitment and training, Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff Dawanna Witt discussed the importance of Minnesota’s Pathways to Policing program to helping her department reach its highest staffing levels in its history. The program focuses on bringing in candidates from outside the traditional law enforcement pipeline. By welcoming veterans, therapists, social workers, and others with diverse experiences, Sheriff Witt explained, her agency has been able to strengthen both its ranks and its connection to the community.

Promoting Collaboration and Transparency

• Former Seattle (WA) Police Chief Carmen Best delivered a keynote at a local Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon, which brought together public safety leaders, business representatives, and cybersecurity experts to discuss crime reduction and community concerns. She outlined strategies for engaging residents and businesses, emphasizing that collaborative problem-solving is essential to preventing crime and reducing harm.
• In remarks to the Minnesota State Bar Association, Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi called for lawyers to protect the independence of prosecutors and educate the public on the importance of prosecutorial independence. He also emphasized the need for prosecutors to hew to professional standards and avoid partisanship.
• Dallas County (TX) saw fentanyl deaths drop by more than 50 percent between 2023 and 2024. District Attorney John Creuzot credits local collaboration and changes to state law that improved information sharing as key to this success.
• Fairfax County (VA) Police Chief Kevin Davis reported declines in homicides and motor vehicle thefts. He highlighted the importance of community partnerships and data-informed strategies in driving these improvements and noted the importance of transparency about results to help build public confidence and sustain progress.
• New crime data shows fewer homicides in Brooklyn, NY. According to District Attorney Eric Gonzalez,evidence-driven strategies and transparency have been central to strengthening accountability and trust.
• On National Police Woman Day, Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff Dawanna Witt discussed the role of women in law enforcement during a radio interview. She emphasized the importance of inclusive teams, strong mentorship, and active recruitment, saying these efforts strengthen leadership and help agencies better reflect the communities they serve.

 Expanding Community Outreach

• Boston (MA) Police Commissioner Michael Cox joined Boston’s mayor and community members in a peace walk organized by a local church, and noted the importance of visible acts of unity with residents to strengthen trust and prevent violence.
• Paul (MN) Police Chief Axel Henry attended a Safe Summer Nights event focused on building trust, sharing safety resources, and fostering informal connections between officers and neighbors, which can help prevent violence.
• San Antonio (TX) Police Chief William McManus launched a public awareness campaign to stop celebratory gunfire ahead of holiday events. He highlighted the importance of outreach and education in reducing preventable harm and supporting neighborhood safety.

Strengthening Reentry & Rehabilitation

• An article on prison design included insights from North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Colby Braun, who described how neuroscience-informed environments and modern facility design can shape behavior and improve outcomes. He said design rooted in evidence can play a direct role in reducing recidivism.
• The Montana Department of Corrections marked the reopening of its Riverside facility, redesigned to relieve overcrowding and expand rehabilitation services. Director Brian Gootkin emphasized that the modernized space and programming will help prepare people for a more successful return to the community.
• A profile of an incarcerated software engineer illustrated the impact of Maine’s reentry initiatives. Maine Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty noted how second-chance programs, many built on educational opportunities, show how career-focused training can reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety.
• Director Braun and Commissioner Liberty were also featured, along with other corrections leaders and experts, in a New York Times piece comparing U.S. and German prisons. Director Braun pointed to the role of well-designed spaces in preparing people for reentry, and Commissioner Liberty emphasized that meaningful skill-building during incarceration is essential to long-term success.

• Reentry programs have helped to lower repeat-offense rates in Michigan. Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington pointed to transportation access and steady employment as two of the most practical supports for people leaving custody, saying those basics often determine whether reentry succeeds.

SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES…

Beyond Recidivism: Charting a New Course, Reentry 2030 (July 2025). Highlights five outcome areas beyond recidivism that states can track to measure reentry success.

I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth, National Network for Youth & Baker McKenzie (July 2025). Describes a new hotline offering legal help so youth can obtain IDs, birth certificates, and other key documents required for housing, education, and job access.

Model Statute and Policy on Law Enforcement Use of Artificial Intelligence,  Policing Project, NYU School of Law (July 2025). Presents model statute and policy tools recommending transparency when agencies use AI, and safeguards for civil liberties and accountability.

Youth Incarceration Fact Sheets, The Sentencing Project (August 2025). A new fact sheet showing state-level data on rising youth incarceration and racial disparities, pointing to the need for prevention and diversion programs.

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