CCJ Commentary - Council on Criminal Justice

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The following articles highlight issues related to the Council’s work and mission. They include pieces by Council staff and fellows, as well as members of CCJ Task Forces and Commissions.

2026

States can–and should–regulate AI in criminal justice
- By Chiraag Bains, Alex Chohlas-Wood, and Katie Kinsey, The Brookings Institution
Operation Metro Surge showed the hidden public safety cost of immigration crackdowns
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Diane Goldstein, Minnesota Reformer
Could Trump Make America Less Retributive?
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, CATO Institute
Ruby Ridge Reckoning Reveals Lessons for ICE
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, RealClearPolitics
To Protect, Serve, and Identify
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law & Liberty
How Bexar County can get out of double magistration double trouble
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
Trump claims credit for murder drop. It’s not that simple.
- By Adam Gelb, USA Today
Make fraudsters fund services for crime victims
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Hill
The Top Five Crime and Justice Stories of 2025
- By Adam Gelb and Alex Piquero, Vital City
The Invisible Thread That Connects Cases of Excessive Force and Low Clearance Rates
- By Marc Levin, Vital City
Criminalizing Officials’ Speech Erodes Trust in Justice System
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law360
2025 Crime Rates Plunge Nationwide as Homicides Hit Historic Lows
- By Ernesto Lopez, The Fulcrum
The Minnesota shootings are a test for police accountability
- By Diane Goldstein and Thaddeus Johnson, The Orange County Register
When Federal Power Turns Deadly, Start Sharing Evidence
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, Newsweek
Make the National Guard a Lifeline, Not a Show of Force
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, Governing

2025

Justice in the Age of Algorithms: Guardrails for AI
- By Jesse Rothman, The Fulcrum
Fallout from DOGE cuts: How funding derailed a federal microgrant strategy
- By Amy Solomon, Government Executive
Almost anyone can be an ICE agent now. That’s a problem.
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, USA Today
How cutting the food safety net threatens the public safety net
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Hill
Drawing Delinquency Down
- By Marc Levin, Law & Liberty
We thank veterans for their service. Why don’t we support them when they stumble?
- By David MacEwen, Stars and Stripes
Crime Victim Aid Should Not Be Tied to Immigration Status
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law360
This target of Trump’s crime crackdown needs swift justice
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Washington Post
Clemency Shouldn’t Depend on Who You Know, but it Should Be Used More Often
- By Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin, Newsweek
Locking up moms destabilizes families and doesn’t make us safer
- By Jillian Snider, The Hill
Protecting federal prisons from shutdown benefits all of us
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Government Executive
Incarceration rate of KY women is indictment of entire system. We can do better
- By Whitney Westerfield, Lexington Herald-Leader
Pluralism requires supporting free speech, not criminalizing it
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, San Antonio Express-News
The American Experiment Requires Robust Debate, Not Government Crackdowns
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Fulcrum
Base bail decisions on risk, not riches
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Hill
A crackdown on crime could restore the American Dream
- By Doug Deason and Justin Keener, The Washington Examiner
As Trump’s DC takeover expires, here’s how to continue to fight crime
- By Marc Levin and Thaddeus Johnson, USA Today
The one crime trend in D.C. that needs our attention
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Washington Post
A Federal Partnership Can Help DC Cut Crime: Here’s How
- By Marc Levin and Thaddeus Johnson, The National Interest
When politicians target data, public safety takes a hit
- By Amy Solomon, The Hill
Are the Most Dangerous Words in Criminal Justice About to Disappear?
- By Adam Gelb, Newsweek
Section 1983 Has Promise After End Of Nationwide Injunctions
- By Marc Levin, Law360
Like Superman, America needs a strong ‘justice gang’ to combat crime
- By Marc Levin, The Washington Times
Prison reform laws could safely send thousands home — if they’re enforced
- By Hugh Hurwitz and Louis L. Reed, The Hill
AI is coming to the criminal justice system
- By Nathan L. Hecht, Houston Chronicle
How to Get Smarter About Fighting Crime
- By Marc A. Levin, Vital City
How Police De-Escalation Training Can Prevent Civil Unrest
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The National Interest
Take Off the Mask, Ice
- By Brandon del Pozo, The Atlantic
What We Should Be Doing for the Children of the Incarcerated
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Governing
President Trump’s tax bill is set to deliver a better deal to American families
- By Ja’Ron Smith, The Washington Times
Police violence is growing in rural America. A safer path exists.
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Washington Post
A Stunning Verdict: A Shared Vision of Justice Unites Americans
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Fulcrum
Post-Woke Criminal Justice Reform
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law & Liberty
Former Assistant AG: Local Nonprofit Workers are Public Safety Heroes Too
- By Amy Solomon, Newsweek
A strong legislative session for criminal justice reform in Texas is within reach
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
Limiting federal grants at the DOJ is a step toward fiscal sanity
- By Timothy Head, Washington Examiner
Kentucky criminal justice policy must understand we are a product of our pasts
- By Whitney Westerfield, Courier Journal
What Can Be Done to Make Prisons Better Workplaces
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Governing
Trump’s First Step Act Was a Monumental Success. His New Administration Has a Chance to Build On It.
- By Timothy Head, The Washington Stand
Judicial Checks and Balances Are Essential to Justice
- By Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin, RealClear Politics
We Promised Safer Communities. Now We’re Cutting the Lifeline
- By Amy Solomon, USA Today
Like Mahmoud Khalil or Not, Due Process is the American Way
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The National Interest
Polarizing Times Demand Bridging Divides: How Centering Justice Can Help Rebuild Trust
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Convergence Corner
We may soon be able to test for PTSD like we test for the flu
- By Jo Sornborger, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Incarcerated women deserve a second chance
- By Heather Rice-Minus and Hillary Blout, The Hill
6 Criteria Can Help Assess Executive Branch Actions
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law360
Second Chance Month Must Be a Gateway to Enduring Justice
- By Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin, Newsweek
Texas can ensure justice is fair with prosecutor-initiated researching
- By Brett Tolman and Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
Does harm reduction still have a future in San Francisco?
- By Keith Humphreys, San Francisco Chronicle
A time for reform: We need a commission to modernize Florida’s prisons
- By Jeff Brandes, Miami Herald
Americans with criminal records don’t deserve a lifetime Scarlet Letter
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Banishing U.S. Citizens to El Salvador Puts American Values Last
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Newsweek
Give Texas judges the option to deny bail but don’t force them to lock up grandpa
- By Marc Levin, Houston Chronicle
Common ground in Pa. on criminal justice
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, TribLIVE
Deterring Dubious Prosecutions Could Avoid Pardon Issues
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Law360
Your face could be in this database. How will it be used?
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, Washington Post
Sarah Stitt: Oklahoma can no longer overlook struggles of women in criminal justice system
- By Sarah Stitt, Tulsa World
Data, best practices and other wonky ways to defeat Houston crime
- By Marc Levin, Houston Chronicle
Girls’ Violence is Rare – But Not Their Violent Victimization
- By Emily Salisbury, Newsweek

2024

Yes, policies advancing justice can prevail again in Trump 2.0
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Actually, Pardons Aren’t Issued Often Enough
- By Khalil Cumberbatch, Governing
As We Support Survivors of Domestic Violence, Let’s Not Forget Those Behind Bars
- By Norma Cumpian, Newsweek
Biden’s easy case for clemency: prisoners in home confinement
- By Hugh Hurwitz, The Hill
The Peril – and Promise – of AI in Criminal Justice
- By Marc Levin and Jesse Rothman, Governing
A fair approach to placement of inmates in the community
- By Hugh Hurwitz, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Commentary: The Creation of an Ombudsman Could Solve Tennessee Corrections Crisis
- By Timothy Head, The Tennessee Star
Challenging Robert Roberson’s execution makes Texas government work as intended
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
From Combat to Courtroom: How Criminal Justice Fails Our Veterans
- By Brock Hunter, Governing
I’m a Republican. America’s problem with the truth is a bipartisan problem.
- By Whitney Westerfield, Courier Journal
Incarcerated women struggle against a system built around the needs of men
- By Loretta Lynch, USA Today
Policy on immigrants and crime should focus on data, not feelings
- By Alex Piquero, The Hill
Bipartisan Criminal-Justice Reform Is Still Very Much Alive
- By Udi Ofer, The Atlantic
Pay Police Better, but Hold Them Responsible
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, Governing
For Black Americans, higher police pay doesn’t always mean fewer violent confrontations as it does for other racial group
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Conversation
The Prosecutor Versus Felon Narrative Helps No One
- By Desmond Meade, TIME
Criminal justice reform may be under pressure, but it still has plenty of life
- By Marc Levin, Route Fifty
Congress can score another bipartisan win for safety and justice
- By Marc Levin and Tim Head, The Hill
Yes, Criminal Justice Form is Still a ‘Thing,’ and It Might Be Yours
- By Marc Levin, Newsweek
I’m Proof of the Power of a Second Chance
- By Sam Lewis, Newsweek
To reduce Black-on-Black crime, two criminal justice experts explain why offering monthly stipends to people at risk makes sense
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Conversation
There’s nothing woke about ruling against sleep deprivation in prison
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Commentary: Texas needs prosecutor transparency that’s practical, not political
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
Why Does Reform Fail?
- By John Maki, Vital City
The Case for Optimism
- By Marc Levin, Vital City
America’s Suburban Crime Problem
- By Thaddeus Johnson, Natasha Johnson, and William Sabol, TIME
Guest column: Abolishing parole doesn’t work. Louisiana must fight crime with facts
- By Marc Levin and Scott Peyton, Nola.com
How Police Can Pursue Without Harming the Public
- By Marc Levin, Governing
Why D.C. is bucking the trend when it comes to violent crime
- By Thad Johnson and Marc Levin, MSNBC
Why It’s Confusing to Know Whether Crime’s Really Up or Down
- By John Buntin, Governing

2023

On criminal justice, don’t just focus on bad news. We ignore progress at our peril.
- By Adam Gelb, USA Today
Trump’s Georgia Case Should Provide Impetus for Reining in Public Mugshots
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, RealClear Policy
The GOP was for these prison reforms before turning against them
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Biden Case Highlights Need for Judicial Oversight to be Part of All Plea Bargains
- By Marc Levin, The Messenger
Why We Need More College Graduates Behind the Badge
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Governing
Police Facial Recognition Technology Can’t Tell Black People Apart
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, Scientific American
Commentary: Give Texas prosecutors the chance to do justice for old cases
- By Hillary Blout and Marc Levin, Express-News
Restarting your life after prison: Providing Medicaid at reentry can help
- By Khalil Cumberbatch, New York Daily News
Restarting your life after prison: Give $10,000 to those being released
- By Glenn Martin, New York Daily News
How DC can satisfy Congress and bolster public safety
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Hill
Missouri Republicans making the right moves on justice — for offenders and taxpayers
- By Marc Levin, The Kansas City Star
Biggest racial gap in prison is among violent offenders –focusing on intervention instead of incarceration could change the numbers
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, The Conversation
Jail Before Trial Should Be the Exception, not the Norm
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, Governing
Opinion: How Texas can improve prisons, drug policy and the justice system
- By Marc Levin, Houston Chronicle
‘Hotspot policing’ — We must recalibrate tactics after Nichols killing
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch, The Hill
If We Want to Reduce Deaths at Hands of Police, We Need to Reduce Traffic Stops
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, TIME

2022

A Healthier Path Out of Prison Leads to Safer Communities
- By Khalil A. Cumberbatch and Marc A. Levin, The Hill
How to Settle the State Tug-of-War Over Migrants
- By Khalil A. Cumberbatch and Marc A. Levin, Washington Monthly
The U.S. Knows How to Reduce Crime
- By Thomas Abt, The Wall Street Journal
Too Many U.S. Veterans End Up Behind Bars. It’s Time to Break the Cycle
- By Chuck Hagel, TIME
A Nat-Con Case for Criminal Justice Reform
- By Marc. A Levin, Law & Liberty
To Address the Corrections Staffing Crisis, Think Outside the Cell
- By Marc A. Levin and Khalil A. Cumberbatch, Governing
Have long prison terms made us safer? We need to find out
- By Sam Lewis and Anne Seymour, The Hill
Don’t Abort Local Prosecutors’ Discretion
- By Marc A. Levin and Khalil A. Cumberbatch, Washington Monthly
College requirements for police forces can save Black lives, but at what cost?
- By Thaddeus L. Johnson and Natasha N. Johnson, The Conversation
Opinion: 7 ways Harris County could end jail overcrowding and outsourcing
- By Marc A. Levin, Houston Chronicle
Guns: Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Middle Ground
- By Marc A. Levin, The Crime Report
Extending Coverage (pages 54–55)
- By Vikki Wachino and Abby Walsh, Sheriff & Deputy
We Need to Talk About Animal Cruelty and Mass Shooters
- By Marc A. Levin, TIME
There’s Still Hope for Prosecutorial Reform After Recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin
- By Marc A. Levin, Reason
Bipartisan drug sentencing reform isn’t a pipe dream
- By Marc A. Levin, The Hill
American cities have long struggled to reform their police – but isolated success stories suggest community and officer buy-in might be key
- By Thaddeus L. Johnson and Natasha N. Johnson, The Conversation
My poor decisions landed me in prison. Now I’m making the most of my second chance.
- By Khalil A. Cumberbatch, USA Today
Essay: Bail Fail needs more than a Band-Aid
- By Marc A. Levin, Houston Chronicle
Confirmation combat can’t crush bipartisan criminal justice reform
- By Marc A. Levin, The Hill
Curbing Violent Crime Through Place-based Policing
- By Jason Potts, Route Fifty
Jackson Confirmation Hearings Should Examine Due Process
- By Marc A. Levin, Law 360
Ex-cop: Verdict in Floyd case, others show cracks in blue wall. Here’s what has to change.
- By Thaddeus L. Johnson and Natasha N. Johnson, USA Today
COVID-19 disruption, crime wave, ‘defund police’ mantra help fuel recent cop killings
- By James Alan Fox and Alex R. Piquero, USA Today
Thomas Koonce and William Allen have earned their redemption. Others deserve a second chance.
- By John Valverde, The Boston Globe
Close the door on no-knock raids and usher in training and resources
- By Marc A. Levin, The Hill
Omicron is creating new havoc in our criminal justice system
- By Alberto Gonzales and Loretta Lynch, The Hill
The nation should model Utah’s ‘Clean Slate’ on criminal records
- By Jeffrey D. Korzenik, The Hill
Catching criminals and connecting communities: The balanced Biden-Adams anti-violence push is rooted in good evidence
- By Thomas Abt, Daily News
Can Early Intervention Prevent Police Misconduct?
- By Nancy La Vigne, The Crime Report
Make Land of Enchantment a land for second chances
- By Marc A. Levin, Santa Fe New Mexican
Critical Race Query
- By Marc A. Levin and Khalil A. Cumberbatch, Washington Monthly
Opinion | Tim Hutchinson and David Safavian: Smart on Crime
- By Tim Hutchinson and David Safavian, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Op-Ed: The Sacramento shooting escalated American violence. We know how to shut it down again.
- By Thomas Abt, Los Angeles Times
Violent Crime in the U.S. Is Surging. But We Know What to Do About It
- By Thomas Abt, Eddie Bocanegra, and Emada Tingirides, TIME
Young offenders need 2nd chance, pathway to parole
- By Marc A. Levin, Albuquerque Journal

2021

To fix our prison system, we need far more than a change in leadership
- By Hugh Hurwitz, The Hill
How Do We Stop the Homicide Crisis? Think Small
- By Marc Levin, Newsweek
Resolution in Support of Police Data Transparency
- By Marc Levin, American Legislative Exchange Council
Resolution in Support of Enhancing Police Officer Training, Wellness, and Support Mechanisms
- By Marc Levin, American Legislative Exchange Council
Sex offender registry laws don’t work. Here’s what might.
- By Meghan M. Mitchell, Kristen M. Zgoba, Alex R. Piquero, Tampa Bay Times
As police brutality cases continue to mount, six things officers should do to build trust
- By Tashante McCoy and Louis M. Dekmar, USA Today
Larry Krasner owes an apology to the 521 families of Philly’s homicide victims
- By Michael Nutter, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Law enforcement strategies to reduce violence
- By Jason Potts, Police1
What Britney Spears Can Teach Us About Probation Reform
- By Marc Levin, RealClear Policy
Voters Verdict on Policing: Mend It, Don’t End It
- By Marc Levin, Newsweek
Tap talents of ex-offenders to solidify supply chain
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
We’re all for police reform. Minneapolis measure wouldn’t have done it.
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, USA Today
For Safer Borders, Focus on People Behind the Numbers
- By Khalil Cumberbatch and Marc Levin, Real Clear Policy
Congress has chance to wipe the slate clean for formerly convicted. They should take it.
- By Nathan Deal, USA Today
Opinion: What Salt Lake County is doing to assure deputies are physically, mentally well
- By Rosie Rivera, Deseret News
Reducing the Staggering Backlog of Court Cases
- By Marc Levin, Route Fifty
After Congress Struck Out, Biden Must Go to Bat on Policing
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Returning Missing Students to School is our National Homework Assignment
- By Marc Levin, Newsweek
‘Planning for Losing’: A Lesson on Justice Reform from Afghanistan
- By Marc Levin, The Crime Report
Training is key to excellence in policing in Georgia
- By Louis Dekmar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SB 2 treats police officers like professionals
- By Walter Katz, Cal Matters
Data can transform policing – but first we need the data
- By Nancy La Vigne and Roy Austin, The Washington Post
Police and Voting Reform Need Federal Remedy, Not Takeover
- By Marc Levin, Law 360
Five Misconceptions About Police Reform
- By Nancy La Vigne, The Crime Report
Intersection of mental health, police and race takes the life of another young Black man
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, USA Today
Suicides represent a sobering wake-up call for officer wellness
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
A conservative case for balanced bail reform
- By Marc Levin, Houston Chronicle
It’s time for national minimum standards for police training and certification
- By Collette Flanagan and Michael Nutter, The Hill
So you want to defund the police? Here are five questions to answer
- By Nancy La Vigne and Cynthia Lum, Newsweek
Criminal justice reform in Texas inches forward
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
Five myths about qualified immunity
- By Nancy La Vigne and Marc Levin, The Washington Post
Miami Police Chief: If President Biden wants substantial change, he should convene national commission on policing
- By Art Acevedo, Miami Herald
What Policing Reformers Can Learn from the National Push for Education Reform
- By Marc Levin, The National Interest
Supreme Court Puts Onus on Lawmakers to Provide Second Chances for Kids
- By Marc Levin, Newsweek
Require officers to intervene and stop the next Derek Chauvin
- By Marc Levin, Houston Chronicle
Biden’s first 100 days
- By Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch
In wake of Chauvin verdict, a look at policy changes that will curb police behavior.
- Art Acevedo, Michael Nutter, and Nancy La Vigne
Violence spiked during the pandemic: victims need our help.
- By Janelle Melohn and Karma Cottman, The Hill
Marijuana legalization: Too much cash and other problems Congress needs to resolve
- By Michael Nutter and John Tilley, USA Today
Homicide rates are up. To bring them down, empower homegrown peacekeepers
- By Paul Carrillo, Los Angeles Times
Six months after Walter Wallace Jr.’s death, what have we learned about policing?
- By Michael Nutter and Cynthia Lum, The Philadelphia Inquirer
How to stop a killing like that of George Floyd from ever happening again
- Louis Dekmar and Collette Flanagan, CNN
Infectious disease expert, former Attorney General: Prioritize COVID vaccines for inmates
- By Tom Inglesby and Alberto Gonzales, USA Today
To stop the spike in urban violence, engage those most at risk
- By Thomas Abt, The Washington Post
Why we must reduce violent crime for prison reform to work
- By Adam Gelb, USA Today
Domestic Violence rose more than 8% during lockdowns
- By Alex Piquero, Tampa Bay Times
Why American Exceptionalism Abroad Requires Criminal Justice Reform
- By Marc Levin, The National Interest
Murders spiked in 2020. That’s exactly why we need policing reforms.
- By Thomas Abt and Richard Rosenfeld, Houston Chronicle
DOJ Charging Memo Recission Aids Prosecutorial Discretion
- By Marc Levin, Law 360
Build a bridge, not a wall, between administrations on justice reform
- By Marc Levin, The Hill
Fair and effective justice reforms are possible this session
- By Marc Levin, San Antonio Express-News
What Makes for Good Policing Makes for Good Citizenship
- By Marc Levin, Real Clear Policy
Vaccinate Florida’s incarcerated and prison staff for COVID-19. It’s about public safety, not politics
- By Desmond Meade, Miami Herald

2020

I’ve seen mental-health calls to police from both sides. More training is needed
- By Ganesha Martin, USA Today
COVID-19 still rages in America’s prisons. Here’s how states can save lives behind bars
- By Jo-Ann Wallace and Tom Inglesby, USA Today
Former attorneys general: Criminal justice reform vital to slow spread of COVID-19
- By Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzales, USA Today
Why defunding police, upping social budgets alone won’t work.
- By Thaddeus Johnson and Natasha Johnson, USA Today
Why we are leading national efforts on coronavirus and criminal justice
- By Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzales, The Hill
To stop the bloodshed, focus on Chicago’s hot spots
- By Eddie Bocanegra, Chicago Tribune
Adopt minimum national police use-of-force standards and train cops for interaction
- By Charles Ramsey and Laurie O. Robinson, USA Today
Black people spend more time in jail for the same crimes. Something has to change.
- By Jeff Brandes, Tampa Bay Times

2019

The U.S. has barely scratched the surface on criminal justice reform
- By Jerry Brown and Matt Bevin, The Hill
Let’s maintain our bipartisan momentum with criminal justice
- By Tim Head and Gil Kerlikowske, The Hill

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