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Centering Justice - Council on Criminal Justice

Centering Justice is a collaborative project engaging a diverse range of the nation’s top thinkers and doers in an ongoing, ideologically vibrant conversation about criminal justice policy. Two pillars anchor the initiative. One is an allegiance to data and evidence; the second is a commitment to viewing criminal justice challenges through shared principles that enable people of different perspectives to find common ground on measures that strengthen public safety, protect due process, and promote equity.

Centering Justice is led by two CCJ staff members – Director of Strategic Partnerships Khalil A. Cumberbatch and Chief Policy Counsel Marc Levin. Through writings, interactive events, partnerships, and other means, the duo strives to bring light rather than heat to some of the most vexing issues of our time, from the evolving role of policing to sentencing, incarceration, and racial disparities.

Our Work

Event Recording: Beyond Borders – A Conversation About Immigration and Crime

On August 27, 2024, the leaders of the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice initiative – Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin – led a discussion exploring immigration and crime.

Event Recording: Exploring the Relationship Between Housing and Crime

On May 20, 2024, the leaders of the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice initiative – Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin – led a discussion on the relationship between housing and crime.
Human bridge forming across a gap

First Step Act Implementation and Beyond – A Conversation with Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters

On January 22, the leaders of the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice initiative – Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin – led a conversation with Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters to discuss the First Step Act.
Human bridge forming across a gap

Event Recording: The First Step Act – From Idea to Implementation

On December 7, 2023, the leaders of the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice initiative – Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin – led a discussion on the First Step Act ahead of the fifth anniversary of its passage.
Human bridge forming across a gap

Event Recording: Pretrial Justice, Sentencing and Corrections—Finding Common Ground in State Capitals

On May 15, the leaders of the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice initiative – Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin – led a discussion exploring bipartisan cooperation on pretrial justice, sentencing, and corrections with three experts from the field: Insha

GOVERNING
Why We Need More College Graduates Behind the Badge

Attracting more people with four-year degrees — and more women — into policing is likely to produce better outcomes. Among other things, they are less likely to draw complaints and use force.

About the Founders

Khalil Cumberbatch - Director of Strategic Partnerships, Council on Criminal Justice

Khalil A. Cumberbatch

Director, Engagement and Partnerships

Marc Levin - Chief Policy Counsel, Council on Criminal Justice

Marc Levin

Chief Policy Counsel

About The Art

The banner design was created by an adult in custody designer in the Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) Graphic Design program. The mission of OCE, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Corrections, is to promote public safety by providing adults in custody with work and training opportunities in a self-sustaining organization.

coming soon:
Giving tuesday

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, a national day of generosity. Please consider supporting the Council on Criminal Justice to help us build bridges across ideological divides and craft consensus for solutions that enhance safety and justice for all.