Confronting Compounding Crises: A Discussion Series on COVID-19, Structural Racism, and the Justice System

As COVID-19 ravaged communities across the U.S., two segments of the population—people of color and people who are incarcerated—have disproportionately borne the brunt of the crisis. In response, policymakers have taken steps to curb the negative impacts of the pandemic, while recognizing the need to address two pre-existing crises that drive health inequities in communities of color: structural racism and disproportionate incarceration.

Join us for a national discourse exploring the intersection of these three compounding public health crises. The series will explore the historical context of structural racism and disproportionate incarceration; the current state of the COVID-19 response in jails and prisons; and consider lessons learned from the pandemic that will shape the future of the criminal justice system. We will consider the role of policymakers in leading efforts to achieve equitable outcomes for affected communities.

Led by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and CSG East Council on Communities of Color, this series will bring together leaders from across the criminal justice system, public health experts, and state/local policymakers. The series will elevate innovative approaches underway in states and local communities that are creating change and mitigating the devastating effects of these compounding public health crises.

This discussion series is free and open to the public via livestream, accessible at https://csgjusticecenter.org/justice-briefing-live/. Viewers can join the conversation via #JusticeBriefingLive on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.