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.
Building Common Ground
Safety. Fairness. Dignity. Accountability. This set of four bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy, each with brief defining language, was signed in January 2025 by 14 national advocacy organizations that span the ideological spectrum, from the Conservative Political Action Conference and the American Legislative Exchange Council on the right to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights on the left.
CCJ was honored to facilitate the extensive discussions that produced this statement of shared values, in partnership with the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and with the sponsorship of The Just Trust.
Our Work
in the news
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Judicial Checks and Balances Are Essential to Justice
Like Mahmoud Khalil or Not, Due Process is the American Way
Polarizing Times Demand Bridging Divides: How Centering Justice Can Help Rebuild Trust
6 Criteria Can Help Assess Executive Branch Actions
Second Chance Month Must Be a Gateway to Enduring Justice
Banishing U.S. Citizens to El Salvador Puts American Values Last
Deterring Dubious Prosecutions Could Avoid Pardon Issues
Trump's Georgia Case Should Provide Impetus for Reining in Public Mugshots
Why We Need More College Graduates Behind the Badge
America Doesn’t Need Public Mugshots of Donald Trump or Joe Blow
Why a strong, united America requires effective criminal justice policies
To Address the Corrections Staffing Crisis, Think Outside the Cell
Guns: Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Middle Ground
Critical Race Query
About the Founders
Khalil A. Cumberbatch
Director, Engagement and Partnerships
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.