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March 2026 Newsletter

It has been a busy start to 2026 for LEL, with progress on federal advocacy priorities, new publications from our team, and critical work to advance safety and justice by members across the country.

In February, we produced a new video featuring members of the network discussing the importance of LEL’s mission and values. Huge thanks to all who participated – Seattle (WA) Police Chief Shon Barnes, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kami Chavis, Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi, Denver (CO) Sheriff Elias Diggins, Middlesex County (MA) Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Portsmouth (VA) Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales, LEL Director Ruby Nidiry, Former Advisory Board Chair Ronal W. Serpas, and Former Secretary of Corrections (WA) Bernard Warner. The video can be found on the LEL homepage (along with other upgrades to the website).

In February, we also launched a new “member spotlight” series, highlighting innovative policies our members are leading, such as:

  • A video featuring St. Paul (MN) Police Chief Axel Henry and policing representatives from across Ramsey County on the “Lights On!” program which reduces unnecessary traffic stops. The video highlights why this program improves public safety and builds trust. It was produced with support from Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi and in collaboration with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. LEL co-sponsored the video with the National Policing Institute. (More on this below.)
  • A blog piece featuring former Police Chief Louis M. Dekmar of LaGrange (GA) and his partnership with a researcher to develop the CARE (Child At Risk Evaluation) assessment tool, which has helped dramatically improve child safety in Georgia. (Those of you who attended our meeting last June will recall Chief Dekmar’s discussion about this groundbreaking interagency collaboration to reduce child mortality.)

If you have any policies or programs you would like us to highlight that embody LEL’s mission – reducing recidivism, strengthening community relationships, and improving oversight and accountability to build a fairer and more effective justice system – let us know!

WELCOME TO LEL’S NEW ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

Colonel James W. Baker (Ret.)As we announced last month, we are excited to welcome Colonel James W. Baker (Ret.) as the new Chair of LEL’s Advisory Board.

Jim has served more than 30 years with the Vermont State Police, including as Director from 2006 to 2009. Among other policing leadership roles, he later served as Chief of Police for the City of Rutland, VT, where he led community-policing efforts that reduced crime and launched Project VISION, a nationally recognized community collaboration initiative. He served as Interim Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections in 2020. As the Director of Law Enforcement Operations and Support and Director of Advocacy at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, he worked on national and international criminal justice issues, including developing the Institute of Community Police Relations and creating the first ever national conference focused on officer safety and wellness.

Jim currently leads JW Leadership Consulting, providing public safety consulting, leadership coaching, executive searches, and agency operational assessments across New England. He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Management from Southern Vermont College and is a graduate of the 188th Session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

And, of course, a special and heartfelt thanks to Ron Serpas for his years of leadership that shaped LEL since its founding in 2015. We are grateful that Ron will continue to support LEL as a member of the Advisory Board.

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

“We Are Not Going to Arrest Our Way Out of This”: Law Enforcement’s Evolving Response to the Fentanyl Crisis with Case Studies from Corrections, Rosemary Nidiry and Jessica Brenner, University of St. Thomas Law Journal (February 2026).

This article, co-authored by LEL Director Rosemary Nidiry and former Policy Associate Jessie Brenner, arose from insights shared by LEL members at the University of St. Thomas Law Journal’s Symposium, Fentanyl – Tragedies and Solutions in October 2024. The article provides an overview of the ways law enforcement leaders are embracing public health responses to address addiction, with a special focus on corrections. We are grateful to LEL’s Mark Osler, Professor of Law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and the editors of the University of St. Thomas Law Journal for organizing the symposium, and to members Sheriff Kalvin Barrett of Dane County (WI), Sheriff Dawanna Witt of Hennepin County (MN), and Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections Paul Schnell, who shared their innovations at the Symposium and are featured in the article.

Prison Reform in the United States: Efforts to Improve Conditions and Post-Release Outcomes, Brennan Center for Justice (various authors) (March 2026).

This report examines innovative approaches to improving prison conditions and post-release outcomes across a range of states, drawing on site visits, interviews, and original survey research. It features reforms in Maine, Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, and identifies strategies for sustaining and replicating them. LEL is proud to have several members featured, including Director Colby Braun of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on reducing solitary confinement; Commissioner Randall Liberty of the Maine Department of Corrections on the “Maine Model of Corrections”; Sheriff Peter Koutoujian of Middlesex County (MA), whose office is a young adult rehabilitation site listed by Restoring Promise, one of the featured programs; Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia, Managing Director of Justice Initiatives at Chicago Beyond, on family visitation reform at Cook County Jail; Director Heidi Washington of the Michigan Department of Corrections on the Vocational Villages skilled trades training program; and Former Secretary of Corrections (PA) John Wetzel on reform efforts at State Correctional Institution Chester (SCI Chester). In addition, Former Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections Rick Raemisch and Former Secretary of Corrections Bernard Warner shared their expertise and helped coordinate member participation in the research.

EVENTS

Congressional staff briefing, Funding Cuts to Health and Their Impact on Public Safety: Law Enforcement & Public Health Leaders’ Perspectives (January 14, 2026)

Congressional Staff Briefing

In January, LEL Director Rosemary Nidiry moderated a bipartisan Congressional staff briefing organized by the Brennan Center’s Justice Program and sponsored by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), with remarks by Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL). The briefing brought together local law enforcement leaders and behavioral health experts to discuss the importance of federal investments in public health and how early intervention and high-quality care can reduce justice system involvement, including why continued federal support for drug treatment and crisis response is critical for public safety. LEL’s Sheriff Joel Merry of Sagadahoc County, Maine participated as a panelist alongside behavioral health and public health leaders including Shannon Scully, Director of Justice Policy & Initiatives at the National Alliance on Mental Illness; Libby Jones, Associate Vice President of the Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator; and Newtown (OH) Police Chief Tom Synan.

As we first announced in our September 2025 newsletter, we are launching a new working group initiative that will bring a small number of LEL members together to share expertise on relevant and timely justice policy issues. The first topic we are exploring is a potential working group and white paper on rebuilding – and improving – federal grantmaking. Stay tuned for news on this exciting project.

ADVOCACY

This quarter, LEL continued to advocate for evidence-based reforms that enhance public safety, support successful reentry, and promote oversight and accountability in the justice system.

Many programs we supported (noted in our 2025 Year in Review) continue to advance with the passage of appropriations bills in January and February 2026. Here are key components:

  • The FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill, which has been signed into law, includes:
  • The FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill, which was approved in the house, includes;

Additionally, in March, LEL joined a letter urging the FY2027 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittees to restore funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program on pace to return to its FY2010 level of $520 million, alongside additional funding for the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act. The letter was signed by a broad coalition of national organizations spanning law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, behavioral health, and victim advocacy.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE NETWORK

LEL members continue to advance practical approaches that strengthen public safety, improve accountability, and support a fairer justice system. Here are some highlights from around the network:

Improving Law Enforcement & Public Safety Practices 

  • Sheriff Kalvin Barrett of Dane County (WI) partnered with Madison police on a traffic safety initiative, informing the public upfront about enforcement efforts focused on drunk driving, seatbelt use, and speeding to encourage drivers to change their behavior before encountering a deputy.
  • As noted above, Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi assisted in the production of a new video featuring St. Paul (MN) Police Chief Axel Henry and policing representatives from across the county highlighting the “Lights On!” program. Through this initiative, officers no longer stop cars for equipment violations, and a community outreach coordinator helps residents address the infractions for free. According to data, since the program was implemented, shootings are down, firearms recoveries are up, and more officer resources are freed up to focus on higher crime areas.
  • Project Restore pairs young men from rival gangs with education, workforce development, therapy, and mentorship as a path away from violence. After the program drove substantial reductions in shootings and homicides in a pilot neighborhood, Brooklyn (NY) District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced plans to bring it to other parts of the borough. DA Gonzalez pointed to the fact that young men are choosing to participate as a meaningful sign the model is working.
  • The Middlesex County (MA) Sheriff’s Office’s Mobile Training Center, which provides free on-site training to police departments around the county as well as the MSO staff, was recently highlighted in the media. The center provides state-of-the-art training including interactive and video scenarios on communication and de-escalation. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian noted that its impact is reflected in a reduction in use-of-force incidents
  • The Struggle Well program is a 5-day post-traumatic growth training designed to help first responders process trauma proactively. The Richland County (SC) sheriff’s department is the first law enforcement agency in the country to implement it under the leadership of Sheriff Leon Lott. His department has also welcomed a crisis intervention dog to support stressed employees.
  • The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, chaired by Sean Smoot, who is also Director and Chief Counsel of the Police Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois, announced a first-of-its-kind certification framework for law enforcement therapy canines in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The certification formally reviews and certifies law enforcement officers and their therapy canines for deployment in crisis calls, peer support, and community engagement.

Advancing Justice & Accountability

  • A panel of law enforcement, medical, and legal professionals in Maine recently recommended updating state law to allow judges to order that defendants who have been found incompetent to stand trial obtain mental health treatment when they pose a serious risk of harm. Sheriff Joel Merry of Sagadahoc County, who served on the panel, described the recommendation as imperfect but a meaningful step toward protecting both public safety and people with severe mental health needs.
  • University of St. Thomas (MN) School of Law Professor Mark Osler was quoted across several national outlets weighing in on the legal questions raised by the fatal shooting by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of Renée Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Questions raised include whether the officer involved could face prosecution and what it means when federal authorities block a state investigation. He also commented on ICE’s failure to comply with court orders, arguing that abiding by court orders is a basic obligation of government.
    • Separately, Professor Osler wrote that the use of pardons as a political tool bypasses Congress and the courts, and that the attention these grants receive gives false hope to deserving petitioners whose cases go unaddressed.
  • The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act, which establishes a federal process for survivors to vacate convictions and clear arrest records for offenses tied directly to their victimization, was signed into law in January. Former U.S. Attorney and LEL Advisory Board member Brett Tolman welcomed the news, noting its victim-centered approach. Passed unanimously by the Senate, it brings federal law in line with relief available in most states.
  • The Safe Inside initiative, chaired by Former Secretary of Corrections (PA) John Wetzel released a DOJ funded analysis of workforce conditions across state prison systems, calling national attention to severe staffing shortages and their impact on safety for both staff and incarcerated people.

Strengthening Reentry & Rehabilitation

  • Director Colby Braun of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation backed a commission’s approval of funds for expanded GPS monitoring bracelets for people on probation, noting that without them those individuals would likely end up incarcerated at far greater cost.
  • The Reimagining Justice for Youth Program, launched in 2021 by Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi in partnership with the public defender’s office, community groups, and law enforcement, offers young people facing charges an alternative path focused on accountability and support rather than prosecution. A new University of Minnesota report found that youth cases sent to community-based accountability increased to 25% while cases going through traditional court dropped to 50%, and only 4% of young people referred through the initiative reoffended within one year compared to 29% in traditional court over an approximately three-and-a-half-year period.
  • A new joint city-county committee in San Antonio is working to establish a centralized diversion and recovery center connecting people with mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities to treatment rather than jail for low-level offenses. San Antonio (TX) Police Chief William McManus is among its members, with a feasibility study now underway.
  • Over 30,000 people have now received government-issued photo IDs through Michigan’s Returning Citizen Identification Program. Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington marked the milestone, noting that returning residents should be focused on finding work and housing after release, not navigating documentation.

Recognizing Leaders & Community Impact

  • For the third year running, Sim Gill has partnered with a fifth-grade class in Kearns, Utah on an 18-week course about the criminal justice system that ends in a mock trial. The Salt Lake County District Attorney emphasized the importance of building a genuine sense of citizenship and belonging around the role of the DA’s office in the community.
  • Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty recently published Liberty’s Prison, a memoir tracing his path from visiting his father at the Maine State Prison as a child to eventually serving as its Warden to now leading the department as Commissioner. The book tells the story behind what he calls the “Maine Model of Corrections,” built around rehabilitation and second chances, which has helped bring Maine’s recidivism rate well below the national average.
  • Sheriff Dawanna Witt was the subject of a profile as part of a series on Black leaders in the community, celebrating her as the first woman and person of color to serve as Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff.

SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES…

Workforce Trends in State Departments of Corrections: A 50-State Analysis, Safe Inside (February 2026) — A 50-state analysis, mentioned above, that examines the national corrections staffing crisis and how that is impacting the safety of both incarcerated individuals and staff.

Advancing Women’s Justice: What We Should Know, But Don’t, Council on Criminal Justice (February 2026) — A research agenda identifying critical gaps in data and evidence on women at the front end of the justice system, with actionable recommendations for researchers, funders, and system leaders across policing, pretrial, and sentencing.

State Strategies to Leverage Existing Medicaid Reentry Practices to Support Implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Health and Reentry Project (January 2026) — Identifies four strategies states can use to build on existing Medicaid reentry work to implement new community engagement requirements and eligibility renewal periods from recent legislative changes to Medicaid.

(Re)Imagining Justice for Youth Impact Report: Increased Access, Reduced Recidivism Assessing three years of shared power and increased community accountability, Kara Beckman, MA, & Rebecca Freese, MS, University of Minnesota (January 2026) — University of Minnesota evaluation, mentioned above, that finds that youth whose cases were resolved through Ramsey County’s collaborative, restorative community accountability process had significantly lower recidivism rates than those processed through traditional court, with reduced racial disparities in outcomes.

Life Sentences in the United States: Exploring the Data, Wilson Center for Science and Justice, Duke Law (December 2025) — An interactive dashboard presenting two decades of data on people serving life sentences across all 50 states and the federal system, drawn from national census data between 2003 and 2024.

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