The National Summit on Justice Reinvestment and Public Safety: Addressing Recidivism, Crime, and Corrections Spending
Overview
In April 2009, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) called on the Council of State Governments and the Pew Center on the States to convene state and federal leaders for a summit on the latest knowledge about reducing recidivism and applying the justice reinvestment approach to manage the growth in corrections populations nationwide.
In January 2010, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, in partnership with the Pew Center on the States, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Public Welfare Foundation hosted the first national summit on justice reinvestment. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressmen Alan Mollohan (D-WV), Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Adam Schiff (D-WA) delivered remarks at the summit. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered remarks via a previously taped message. The summit was attended by a broad cross-section of leaders in government and criminal justice who expressed interest in learning about data-driven, fiscally responsible policies and practices that can increase public safety and reduce recidivism and spending on corrections.
Comments about the Summit Report
“Just as helpful as pointing out commonly made mistakes are the cutting-edge practices identified in the report. ... The report, in other words, should be required reading.”—The Washington Post
“It highlights four common ways states have successfully revamped their systems, including identifying high-risk offenders, strengthening community supervision and concentrating services in the places where most ex-offenders live.”—The Wall Street Journal
“We need to see more states tailor the kind of smart strategies that the jurisdictions profiled in this report have implemented.”—Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA)
Summit Report
To browse an online version of the report, click on the cover and scroll through the pages using the arrow buttons on the sides.
Download the Report: The National Summit on Justice Reinvestment and Public Safety: Addressing Recidivism, Crime, and Corrections Spending (.pdf)
Order the Report: Single copies can be ordered from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (http://www.ncjrs.gov/), using Product No. NCJ 233019.
Partners
The Pew Center on the States is a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts that identifies and advances effective solutions to critical issues facing states. Pew is a nonprofit organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. For more information, visit www.pewcenteronthestates.org.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, supports law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, victim services, technology, and prevention initiatives that strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system. BJA provides leadership, services, and funding to America’s communities by emphasizing local control; building relationships in the field; developing collaborations and partnerships; promoting capacity building through planning; streamlining the administration of grants; increasing training and technical assistance; creating accountability of projects; encouraging innovation; and ultimately communicating the value of justice efforts to decision makers at every level. Visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/ for more information.
The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. The Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program seeks out opportunities for systems change to reduce the rate of incarceration and prison population in America while ensuring public safety. To learn more about the Public Welfare Foundation, see www.publicwelfare.org.