Event Recording: Stronger Families, Safer Communities

Current criminal justice policies and practices undermine public safety and destabilize families by too often failing to address the unique pathways that lead women into the justice system in the first place, including trauma, economic hardship, and unmet behavioral health needs.

In its first policy report, the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) Women’s Justice Commission examines the distinct factors driving women’s involvement in the justice system and calls for four priority measures to improve early-stage responses, from arrest through sentencing.

Leaders from the CCJ Women’s Justice Commission explored the report’s findings and recommendations—and discussed how policymakers and practitioners can implement the ideas in ways that prevent crime, strengthen families, and cut costs.

Panelists

Courtney Bryan, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Justice Innovation
Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff, Harris County, Texas
Whitney Westerfield, Director of Legal and Government Affairs, LifeSkills; Former State Senator, Kentucky
Pamela Winn, President and CEO, RestoreHER US.America
Stephanie Akhter (moderator), Director, Women’s Justice Commission

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