News

December 18, 2024

December 2024 Newsletter

As 2024 draws to a close, we are reflecting on the many ways that LEL members have advanced public safety and justice reform in a challenging political environment. This quarter, LEL’s expertise has continued to be an important component of efforts to combat myths and to highlight the need for fact-based policy solutions.

EVENTS

Brennan Center Live: Promoting Justice and Public Safety Since the Pandemic (October 17, 2024)

On October 17th, LEL co-hosted a BCLive virtual event featuring LEL members Madison (WI) Police Chief Shon Barnes, Denver (CO) District Attorney Beth McCann, and Brennan Center Justice Program/LEL Senior Counsel Ruby Nidiry. They were joined by Brennan Center Senior Counsel Ames Grawert in a conversation moderated by former West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant that drew an audience of almost 600 from across the country. This event, which took place shortly after the FBI’s release of its annual crime report for 2023, followed up on the successful bipartisan Congressional briefing that we co-hosted in July, moderated by Ruby Nidiry, featuring LEL members as well as experts, including Ames Grawert, and advocates.

This series has focused on the importance of using data to combat misinformation about reform and crime. It has also spotlighted LEL members’ support for comprehensive public safety solutions that can help prevent crime, build trust, and advance justice for all in the community.

Here are some highlights of the October 17 event:

The panel began with a discussion about what recent data shows about national crime trends.

In an opening clip, national data expert Jeff Asher gave a recap of the FBI’s 2023 crime report. He noted, among other things, that the report showed declines in violent and property crime, including a significant 11.6% drop in murders, the largest one-year drop ever recorded.
Ames Grawert expanded on what the data shows about recent crime trends, discussed some of the possible factors behind the pandemic-era crime spike, and shared other research dispelling myths about links between reform policies and crime.

Listeners then heard about law enforcement championing evidence-based reforms.

Ruby Nidiry introduced LEL and explained its mission. She discussed how members’ on-the-ground expertise drives their recognition that policies that reduce incarceration and create a fairer justice system are essential for public safety.
Chief Shon Barnes highlighted some programs that he has implemented, such as the Madison Area Addiction Recovery Initiative, a diversion program for substance use, and restorative justice aimed at reducing recidivism and fostering rehabilitation. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the community and law enforcement and the police department’s crime analysis team that evaluates programs. He noted some promising results such as a record reduction in the number of arrests per year, including a 55% reduction for Black men, and a significant reduction in gun and property crimes in 2023. Madison also has a homicide clearance rate of 80% which is well above the national average.
DA Beth McCann described some of Denver’s juvenile reform efforts. This includes a Handgun Intervention Program that promotes education and offers second chances to minors convicted of first-time nonviolent firearm offenses. She launched a restorative justice program for adults, that has been completed by over 400 people to date, with a recidivism rate of 3.6% (compared to about 50% after prison and about 17% after probation). Her office has also introduced competency courts that divert individuals with mental health and substance use challenges into treatment.
Both LEL members emphasized ways they hope to ensure policies are sustainable beyond their tenure. They stressed the importance of building trust by listening and being responsive to community members and the value of transparency and research to counter misinformation about reform policies.

Watch the full video here!

University of St. Thomas Law Journal Symposium: Fentanyl – Tragedies and Solutions (October 25, 2024)

On October 25th, LEL members Sheriff Kalvin Barrett (Dane County, WI), Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales (Portsmouth, VA), Sheriff Dawanna Witt (Hennepin, MN), and Commissioner of Corrections Paul Schnell (MN) participated in the University of St. Thomas Law Journal’s Fall Symposium. This symposium brought together experts from various fields, including law enforcement, medical professionals, law professors, affected individuals, and treatment specialists to address the complex challenges of the fentanyl epidemic. Special thanks to LEL member and St. Thomas Law Professor Mark Osler for inviting LEL to participate.

Sheriff Barrett, CA Morales, and Sheriff Witt provided law enforcement perspectives on combating the fentanyl crisis in a panel moderated by Ruby Nidiry.

Sheriff Barrett emphasized that we can’t arrest our way out of the crisis, noting that it is a societal problem that requires community-driven solutions. He discussed how he has prioritized social services and addiction programs in Dane County, such as by expanding MAT options and bringing social workers and reentry coordinators on staff. Dane County has recently seen some successes including a slow reduction of overdose deaths.
CA Stephanie Morales highlighted initiatives focused on community building and youth engagement, such as the Control-Alt-Delete Program and the Future Leaders Initiative. She advocated for shifting from overly punitive policies to more education and treatment, stressing the importance of building trust and providing resources. She also discussed challenges, such as pushback from other stakeholders, and the need to continue to try new approaches.
Sheriff Dawanna Witt shared her perspective as a local Hennepin County leader. She discussed the extent of the crisis and the need for effective and targeted enforcement and more services. Her priorities include promoting fentanyl awareness and education, reducing stigma, and connecting individuals to resources through programs such as the Focus on Fentanyl Initiative. She noted the importance of a full-time opioid coordinator on staff focused on data analysis. She also discussed the need for consistent engagement with the community and those affected to improve policies and reduce overdose deaths.

In the afternoon, Commissioner Paul Schnell joined a panel about treatment needs and innovations. He noted the troubling fact that the Minnesota Department of Corrections is one of the state’s largest treatment providers. To improve effectiveness, the department takes a holistic approach to tailor individualized treatment plans. He emphasized the need for accessible treatment and incentives within prisons alongside robust support systems for individuals upon release. As an example, the department provides comprehensive harm-reduction kits upon release, which include Narcan, fentanyl test strips, a letter of support, and additional educational materials for individuals to assist individuals with a safer transition back into their communities.

Watch the full symposium here!

WELCOME TO LEL’S NEWEST MEMBERS!

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to two new LEL members!

Chief Deputy Gina Hawkins
Cobb County, Georgia
As the Assistant Chief Deputy for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Gina Hawkins is responsible for patrol operations, criminal investigations, special operations, background recruiting, and internal investigations. Previously, she served as the Chief of Police of Fayetteville, North Carolina from 2017 to 2023. She has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, starting her career in 1988 with the City of Atlanta Police Department. As the commander of the City of Sandy Springs Police Department in Georgia in 2006, she was instrumental in establishing an efficient, forward-thinking police department. She also served as Deputy Police Chief in 2013 in Clayton County, Georgia where she presided at different times over both the Operational Command and the Support Service Command.

Undersecretary Andrew Peck
State of Massachusetts
Since January 2019, Andrew Peck has served as the Undersecretary of Public Safety for Criminal Justice at the Executive Office of Public Safety in Massachusetts where he is responsible for policy and budgetary oversight of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, Massachusetts Parole Board, and the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board. He also chairs the Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee and Restorative Justice Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Steering Committee for EXiT: Executives Transforming Probation and Parole, and the Executive Steering Committee of the National Governors Association Consortium of Public Safety Executives.

ADVOCACY

This quarter, LEL has continued to amplify the voice of law enforcement in public safety and justice reform at the federal level.

In September, LEL endorsed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act of 2024 (S.5266), introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rand Paul (R-KY). This legislation would automatically seal criminal records for low-level, non-violent offenders who have completed their sentences, removing major barriers to employment, housing, and education.

In November, LEL joined a letter urging Congress to pass the Reentry Act (H.R.2400/S.1165) and Due Process Continuity of Care Act (H.R.3074/S.971) which will help integrate substance use treatment into carceral settings, reduce recidivism, and prevent overdose deaths. The Reentry Act would allow Medicaid coverage to start 30 days before release from incarceration and the Due Process of Continuity of Care Act would allow for Medicaid coverage while individuals are awaiting trial.

SUCCESS! Also in November, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized changes to Medicare’s definition of “in custody” making it easier for people on bail, parole, probation, home detention, people required to reside in halfway houses and people who are under arrest to access Medicare coverage. LEL submitted a public comment in support of these efforts in September and the final rule can be found here.

LOCAL EFFORTS BY MEMBERS

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:

Public Safety Initiatives

Madison (WI) Police Chief Shon Barnes announced the creation of the Family Justice/Sensitive Crime Unit, an initiative that will provide specialized training in domestic violence cases and more services for victims.
Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi spoke with the Center for American Progress about how his office is collaborating with law enforcement and community members to improve public safety without overly relying on incarceration.
Salt Lake County (UT) District Attorney Sim Gill introduced a pilot program called Familiar Faces Court, aimed at reducing incarceration for low-level offenders by addressing the root causes of crime and connecting people with resources.
Brooklyn (NY) District Attorney Eric Gonzalez spoke at the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association emphasizing his holistic approach to public safety and community engagement, such as Project Restore, which led to a 40% reduction in crime in participating neighborhoods.
DA Eric Gonzalez was also appointed to a new opioid task force launched by the New York State Bar Association, bringing together experts from legal and health sectors to strengthen the state’s treatment programs for substance use by improving access to resources.
San Antonio (TX) Police Chief William McManus announced a 3% reduction in overall crime through a combination of tactics, including violence reduction strategies and a property crime task force.

Building Trust Through Community Engagement

Madison (WI) Police Chief Shon Barnes spoke at a panel hosted by the Black Business Hub discussing what could have been done to prevent a Miami-Dade officer from using force to handcuff Dolphins player Tyreek Hill for a traffic stop in September. Chief Barnes discussed the importance of body-worn cameras and strong leadership in holding officers accountable.
Davidson County (TN) Sheriff Daron Hall launched an initiative, in collaboration with community groups and local officials, to expand access to voting in Nashville’s jails. This included adding an election staffer to the sheriff’s office who visited each facility, prepared absentee ballot requests for registered voters, and shared resources. Elections officials also set up a polling place at each of the five jail facilities.
San Antonio (TX) Police Chief William McManus attended San Antonio Neighbors Together, a community outreach initiative aimed at building relationships and uniting neighborhoods and law enforcement against crime.
Prince William County (VA) Police Chief Peter Newsham spoke with a local news station about school safety, an upcoming Virginia Women in Law Enforcement Inaugural Summit, and other priorities.
Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff Dawanna Witt is collecting winter clothing donations from the community to provide to people experiencing homelessness.

Recognizing Leaders and Their Impact

Former Virginia Attorney General and LEL Advisory Board member Mark Earley gave an oral history at William & Mary Law School, his alma mater, sharing stories from his life and career that have shaped his leadership and approach to tough-on-crime policies.
Salt Lake County (UT) District Attorney Sim Gill, Ramsey County (MN) County Attorney John Choi, and a representative from Brooklyn (NY) District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office spoke at the 4th National Prosecution Best Practices Conference about reforms in their jurisdictions that have improved access to resources, decreased incarceration, and addressed racial disparities.
At its 2024 Annual Awards Reception, the National Policing Institute honored two LEL members:
Former Seattle (WA) Chief and LEL Advisory Board member Kathleen O’Toole with the Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy Leading Change in Policing Award for her groundbreaking leadership in improving and reforming policing in agencies in Boston, Seattle, and Ireland; and
Washtenaw County (MI) Sheriff Jerry Clayton with the Hubert Williams Equal Justice and Effective Policing Award for his career-long commitment to providing resources to the community, prioritizing mental health, and improving officer training.
Judge Susan Segal spoke at a panel discussion at Minnesota North College about being a female leader in the Minnesota judicial system.
Former New Orleans Police Chief and LEL Advisory Board Chair Ronal Serpas served as master of ceremonies and gave opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Boston, MA. He recounted Boston’s history of leadership in policing innovations and also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing policing today. In her remarks, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised Police Commissioner Michael Cox for pioneering the Community Compstat Program, an initiative where police share data with the public to improve transparency.

Advancing Justice and Accountability

Dallas County (TX) District Attorney John Creuzot’s office helped to exonerate Benjamin Spencer, who spent 34 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted. The DA’s office was commended by the defense attorney for its commitment to conducting a serious review of problems with the underlying evidence, which included false testimony and Brady violations.
Brooklyn (NY) District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office helped to exonerate Keith Roberts of a 1986 murder for which he served eight years’ imprisonment. The DA’s office identified flaws in the original case, including unreliable testimony and overlooked evidence. This is the office’s 40th exoneration since its Conviction Review Unit was created in 2014.
Co-Founder and President of the Center for Policing Equity Tracie Keesee served as an expert for a report commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council examining the barriers faced by Africans and people of African descent when demanding accountability and redress for excessive police force in the United States and elsewhere.

SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES…

How States Can Use New Federal Grants to Drive Health Equity Through Cross-System Collaboration, The Health and Reentry Project (December 2024) — Brief detailing CMS grant opportunities and highlighting four priority areas where states can leverage grant funds to enhance continuity of care for individuals returning to communities after incarceration.

Recommendations to the Trump-Vance Administration, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (December 2024) — Recommendations from a network of over 600 companies for the incoming administration on removing barriers to reentry, promoting economic prosperity, expanding opportunities, and eliminating disparities in the federal justice system.

The Real Cost of ‘Bad News’: How Misinformation is Undermining Youth Justice Policy in Baltimore, The Sentencing Project (December 2024) — Analysis of coverage by six Baltimore media outlets during the first half of 2024 argues that media coverage of youth crime has been misleading and fueled poor public policy.

The No-Spin Evidence Review, Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy (December 2024) — Newly launched online publication that provides plain-language summaries of recent research findings about what works in social programs and highlights problems in research reporting.

Winnable Criminal Justice Reforms in 2025, Prison Policy Initiative (November 2024) — Solutions to reduce incarceration and address harms experienced by those impacted by the criminal justice system, featuring sample bills and additional resources.

People in Jail and Prison in 2024, Vera Institute for Justice (October 2024) — Report integrating quarterly data from 2019 through spring 2024, jurisdiction-level jail and prison data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, to provide a comprehensive picture of incarceration trends across the country.