Council on Criminal Justice
@counciloncj.org
Nonpartisan think tank and invitational membership organization that advances understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation and builds consensus for solutions that enhance safety and justice for all.
https://counciloncj.org/
https://counciloncj.org/
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The Council on Criminal Justice is a nonpartisan think tank and invitational membership organization with two main goals:
1️⃣ Advance understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation
2️⃣ Build consensus for solutions that enhance safety & justice for all
The Council on Criminal Justice is a nonpartisan think tank and invitational membership organization with two main goals:
1️⃣ Advance understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation
2️⃣ Build consensus for solutions that enhance safety & justice for all
The American Legislative Exchange Council has adopted a Model Survivor Justice Act, aligned with a key recommendation of the Council on Criminal Justice Women’s Justice Commission. alec.org/model-policy...
Survivor Justice Act - American Legislative Exchange Council
Section 1. Short Title This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Survivor Justice Act.” Section 2. Purpose and Findings (a) Findings. The legislature finds that: (1) In many criminal prosec...
alec.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:33 PM
The American Legislative Exchange Council has adopted a Model Survivor Justice Act, aligned with a key recommendation of the Council on Criminal Justice Women’s Justice Commission. alec.org/model-policy...
Did the officer believe there was an imminent threat? Were there alternatives to deadly force? What role did the officer's training and tactics play? CCJ Senior Fellow Thaddeus Johnson and CCJ members Gil Kerlikowske and Sean Smoot shared their perspectives with @washingtonpost.com.
The fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis has prompted new scrutiny of the tactics and training for the thousands of ICE officers deployed across the country as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort.
ICE tactics and training under scrutiny after Minneapolis shooting
The shooting is fueling new scrutiny and questions about ICE’s tactics, training and preparations for street-level encounters across the country.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Did the officer believe there was an imminent threat? Were there alternatives to deadly force? What role did the officer's training and tactics play? CCJ Senior Fellow Thaddeus Johnson and CCJ members Gil Kerlikowske and Sean Smoot shared their perspectives with @washingtonpost.com.
How can judges, prosecutors, and police better prepare as the presence of AI in the justice system continues to grow? CCJ Task Force on Artificial Intelligence member @herbertdixon.bsky.social shares his perspective with @6abcactionnews.bsky.social. 6abc.com/post/no-veri...
'No one verified the evidence': Woman says AI-generated deepfake text sent her to jail
Melissa Sims said her nightmare began after she called police during an argument with her boyfriend, when she said he allegedly ransacked her home.
6abc.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:28 PM
How can judges, prosecutors, and police better prepare as the presence of AI in the justice system continues to grow? CCJ Task Force on Artificial Intelligence member @herbertdixon.bsky.social shares his perspective with @6abcactionnews.bsky.social. 6abc.com/post/no-veri...
NEW: In 2025, the Council on Criminal Justice redoubled our effort to ground debates in facts and bridge divides through data and dialogue. Check out our annual report at: impact.counciloncj.org/annual-repor...
2025 Annual Report - 2025
impact.counciloncj.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
NEW: In 2025, the Council on Criminal Justice redoubled our effort to ground debates in facts and bridge divides through data and dialogue. Check out our annual report at: impact.counciloncj.org/annual-repor...
Early signs show that crime continued to drop in the U.S. in 2025. What's driving these trends, and what do they mean for 2026? CCJ's @abgelb.bsky.social shared insight with @npr.org's @meganders.bsky.social ahead of the release of our Year-End 2025 Crime Trends report (expected in ~2 weeks).
Crime rates dropped across much of the U.S. in 2025. That was true for both property and violent crime. And it declined nearly everywhere: In big cities and small towns, and in red and blue states. n.pr/4jlKpZ2
Crime in the U.S. fell in 2025. Will the trend continue?
Crime rates dropped across much of the U.S. in 2025. That was true for both property and violent crime. And it declined nearly everywhere: In big cities and small towns, and in red and blue states.
n.pr
January 7, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Early signs show that crime continued to drop in the U.S. in 2025. What's driving these trends, and what do they mean for 2026? CCJ's @abgelb.bsky.social shared insight with @npr.org's @meganders.bsky.social ahead of the release of our Year-End 2025 Crime Trends report (expected in ~2 weeks).
Rather than acting as substitute police could the National Guard help save lives by backing up strained local emergency responders? A perspective co-authored by CCJ Senior Fellow Thaddeus Johnson for Governing. www.governing.com/urban/make-t...
Make the National Guard a Lifeline, Not a Show of Force
Rather than acting as substitute police, guard medics could help save lives by backing up strained local emergency responders. It’s not unprecedented.
www.governing.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Rather than acting as substitute police could the National Guard help save lives by backing up strained local emergency responders? A perspective co-authored by CCJ Senior Fellow Thaddeus Johnson for Governing. www.governing.com/urban/make-t...
"You have to be willing to follow the research where it leads, even if it takes you places that run counter to your assumptions." @joycewhitevance.bsky.social spoke with @abgelb.bsky.social about CCJ's work and why a fair and effective justice system is vital for democracy. tinyurl.com/mt6jrsme
Five Questions with Criminal Justice Reform Leader Adam Gelb
About some of America's unfinished business...
joycevance.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:52 PM
"You have to be willing to follow the research where it leads, even if it takes you places that run counter to your assumptions." @joycewhitevance.bsky.social spoke with @abgelb.bsky.social about CCJ's work and why a fair and effective justice system is vital for democracy. tinyurl.com/mt6jrsme
CCJ Impact Moment #7: In 2025, CCJ welcomed new members, bringing our network to nearly 350 leaders from across the criminal justice ecosystem. CCJ remains a trusted, nonpartisan hub for dialogue, consensus, and strategies that advance safety and justice: https://counciloncj.org/membership/
December 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #7: In 2025, CCJ welcomed new members, bringing our network to nearly 350 leaders from across the criminal justice ecosystem. CCJ remains a trusted, nonpartisan hub for dialogue, consensus, and strategies that advance safety and justice: https://counciloncj.org/membership/
CCJ Impact Moment #6: As AI advances, the CCJ Task Force on AI released a framework to guide its safe, ethical, and effective use in criminal justice. The framework highlights five key principles for responsible integration. https://counciloncj.org/principles-for-the-use-of-ai-in-criminal-justice/
December 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #6: As AI advances, the CCJ Task Force on AI released a framework to guide its safe, ethical, and effective use in criminal justice. The framework highlights five key principles for responsible integration. https://counciloncj.org/principles-for-the-use-of-ai-in-criminal-justice/
CCJ Impact Moment #5: The Veterans Justice Commission shaped policy via VA & congressional briefings. Per the VJC proposals, 3 states passed laws to improve veteran ID, & the Senate approved $5M for a National Center for Veterans Justice. https://counciloncj.org/veterans-justice-commission/
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #5: The Veterans Justice Commission shaped policy via VA & congressional briefings. Per the VJC proposals, 3 states passed laws to improve veteran ID, & the Senate approved $5M for a National Center for Veterans Justice. https://counciloncj.org/veterans-justice-commission/
CCJ Impact Moment #4: The Council’s Women’s Justice Commission released its first set of policy recommendations to reduce women’s involvement in the criminal justice system and improve outcomes for families. Read the report at: reports.counciloncj.org/wjc-report/
December 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #4: The Council’s Women’s Justice Commission released its first set of policy recommendations to reduce women’s involvement in the criminal justice system and improve outcomes for families. Read the report at: reports.counciloncj.org/wjc-report/
CCJ Impact Moment #3: When federal justice grants were canceled, the Council's Justice in Perspective initiative became an invaluable source of information for nonprofits, funders, & journalists, with analyses cited in 800+ media stories. Learn more: https://counciloncj.org/justice-in-perspective/
December 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #3: When federal justice grants were canceled, the Council's Justice in Perspective initiative became an invaluable source of information for nonprofits, funders, & journalists, with analyses cited in 800+ media stories. Learn more: https://counciloncj.org/justice-in-perspective/
How will AI be used in the criminal justice system, and what guiderails should exist to guide its usage? A perspective from CCJ Task Force on AI Director Jesse Rothman in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social: thefulcrum.us/rule-of-law/...
Justice in the Age of Algorithms: Guardrails for AI
The Council on Criminal Justice outlines five principles to keep AI fair, accountable, and aligned with democracy.
thefulcrum.us
December 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
How will AI be used in the criminal justice system, and what guiderails should exist to guide its usage? A perspective from CCJ Task Force on AI Director Jesse Rothman in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social: thefulcrum.us/rule-of-law/...
CCJ Impact Moment #2: As debates over public safety intensified, CCJ’s crime trends research served as a trusted, nonpartisan source—cited by policymakers, national media, and fact-checkers across the political spectrum. Learn about CCJ’s crime trends research at: counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #2: As debates over public safety intensified, CCJ’s crime trends research served as a trusted, nonpartisan source—cited by policymakers, national media, and fact-checkers across the political spectrum. Learn about CCJ’s crime trends research at: counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
CCJ Impact Moment #1: In a time of intense polarization, CCJ brought together 14 national advocacy organizations, from the @aclu.org to CPAC, to agree on 4️⃣ bipartisan principles for criminal justice.
December 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
CCJ Impact Moment #1: In a time of intense polarization, CCJ brought together 14 national advocacy organizations, from the @aclu.org to CPAC, to agree on 4️⃣ bipartisan principles for criminal justice.
What’s the potential impact of Trump’s executive order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III? CCJ member @beaukilmer.bsky.social of RAND's Drug Policy Research Center shared with @pbsnews.org what this could mean for users, businesses, and research. 🧵
December 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
What’s the potential impact of Trump’s executive order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III? CCJ member @beaukilmer.bsky.social of RAND's Drug Policy Research Center shared with @pbsnews.org what this could mean for users, businesses, and research. 🧵
Many women enter the justice system through crises linked to behavioral health needs, trauma, or domestic violence. But law enforcement often lacks the training, tools, or resources to do anything except take people into custody in these situations. Is this the right approach?🧵
December 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Many women enter the justice system through crises linked to behavioral health needs, trauma, or domestic violence. But law enforcement often lacks the training, tools, or resources to do anything except take people into custody in these situations. Is this the right approach?🧵
CCJ had several significant achievements this year—ways in which we contributed to building a safer and fairer nation, bridging ideological divides, and grounding critical policy debates in facts. Check out CCJ’s 7️⃣ biggest moments of impact in 2025. ⬇️
December 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
CCJ had several significant achievements this year—ways in which we contributed to building a safer and fairer nation, bridging ideological divides, and grounding critical policy debates in facts. Check out CCJ’s 7️⃣ biggest moments of impact in 2025. ⬇️
How can New Jersey better consider a defendant’s history of domestic violence as a mitigating factor in sentencing? A perspective from NJ prosecutor William Reynolds for @nj.com, bringing attention to recommendations from the Council's Women’s Justice Commission. www.nj.com/opinion/2025...
Let’s support N.J.’s move for fairer sentencing of survivors of domestic violence | Opinion
A recently introduced bill proposes allowing New Jersey courts to consider a defendant’s history of domestic violence or other abuse as a mitigating factor in sentencing
www.nj.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
How can New Jersey better consider a defendant’s history of domestic violence as a mitigating factor in sentencing? A perspective from NJ prosecutor William Reynolds for @nj.com, bringing attention to recommendations from the Council's Women’s Justice Commission. www.nj.com/opinion/2025...
What impact did the DOJ's funding cuts have on "microgrants" meant to support the smallest, least resourced communities? A perspective from CCJ Senior Fellow Amy Solomon for @govexec.bsky.social on resources pulled from grassroots nonprofits and rural jurisdictions. www.govexec.com/management/2...
Fallout from DOGE cuts: How defunding derailed a federal microgrant strategy
COMMENTARY | Several presidents have criticized the complexities of the federal grants process, but DOGE cuts to the Justice Department have made the process worse for local law enforcement rather tha...
www.govexec.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
What impact did the DOJ's funding cuts have on "microgrants" meant to support the smallest, least resourced communities? A perspective from CCJ Senior Fellow Amy Solomon for @govexec.bsky.social on resources pulled from grassroots nonprofits and rural jurisdictions. www.govexec.com/management/2...
The federal government stopped releasing detailed arrest data in 2020. What have arrests looked like since then, and what can we learn from long-term analysis? CCJ's Policy Director spoke with @cbsnews.com about the findings of this first-of-its kind analysis.
U.S. arrests plummet 25% since onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, analysis finds
Arrests across the U.S. have dropped by 25% compared to the onset of the pandemic in 2019, an analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice released Tuesday found.
www.cbsnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The federal government stopped releasing detailed arrest data in 2020. What have arrests looked like since then, and what can we learn from long-term analysis? CCJ's Policy Director spoke with @cbsnews.com about the findings of this first-of-its kind analysis.
Earlier this year, the DOJ terminated public safety grants initially valued at more than $800 million. How have those funding cuts impacted local nonprofits? CCJ Senior Fellow Amy Solomon spoke with @gothamist.com about the potential implications for nonprofits in New York City.
Federal cuts force NYC nonprofits to reduce services, raising community safety concerns https://gothamist.com/news/federal-cuts-force-nyc-nonprofits-to-reduce-services-raising-community-safety-concerns
Federal cuts force NYC nonprofits to reduce services, raising community safety concerns
Cincere Wilson patrolling East Harlem near Exodus' facility on East 123rd Street and Third Avenue
Nearly 20 organizations in the city lost DOJ funding. Some say they’re worried about potential spikes in neighborhood violence. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Earlier this year, the DOJ terminated public safety grants initially valued at more than $800 million. How have those funding cuts impacted local nonprofits? CCJ Senior Fellow Amy Solomon spoke with @gothamist.com about the potential implications for nonprofits in New York City.
NEW: CCJ released a new comprehensive analysis of arrest trends from 1980-2024, the first full analysis since federal reporting halted in 2020.
Main finding: Arrests fell sharply in 2020 during the pandemic—and have stayed down since then. shorturl.at/Xs1PQ
Main finding: Arrests fell sharply in 2020 during the pandemic—and have stayed down since then. shorturl.at/Xs1PQ
Who Gets Arrested in America: Trends Across Four Decades, 1980-2024 - Council on Criminal Justice
This comprehensive analysis of arrest trends is the first of its kind since the federal government stopped releasing detailed arrest data in 2020. It shows that arrests fell sharply in 2020 during the...
shorturl.at
December 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
NEW: CCJ released a new comprehensive analysis of arrest trends from 1980-2024, the first full analysis since federal reporting halted in 2020.
Main finding: Arrests fell sharply in 2020 during the pandemic—and have stayed down since then. shorturl.at/Xs1PQ
Main finding: Arrests fell sharply in 2020 during the pandemic—and have stayed down since then. shorturl.at/Xs1PQ
ICYMI: The Council’s Centering Justice initiative hosted a webinar on the state of crime and justice with panelists @sentencinglaw.bsky.social, Shaila Dewan, and Dave Sunday, alongside moderators Khalil A. Cumberbatch & @marclevin.bsky.social. Watch the recording at: counciloncj.org/event-record...
Event Recording: The State of Crime and Justice: Year-End Insights - Council on Criminal Justice
Leaders from the Council on Criminal Justice Centering Justice project and other experts discussed what the criminal justice field faced in 2025 and what we might expect in 2026.
counciloncj.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
ICYMI: The Council’s Centering Justice initiative hosted a webinar on the state of crime and justice with panelists @sentencinglaw.bsky.social, Shaila Dewan, and Dave Sunday, alongside moderators Khalil A. Cumberbatch & @marclevin.bsky.social. Watch the recording at: counciloncj.org/event-record...
⏰ T-minus 1⃣ hour: There's still time to register and join today's webinar!
What were the top issues facing the criminal justice field in 2025 and what might we expect in 2026?
🗓️Join us 12/9 at 12pm ET for a CCJ Centering Justice webinar featuring Douglas Berman (@sentencinglaw.bsky.social), Shaila Dewan, and Dave Sunday: events.zoom.us/e/view/w1jBI...
🗓️Join us 12/9 at 12pm ET for a CCJ Centering Justice webinar featuring Douglas Berman (@sentencinglaw.bsky.social), Shaila Dewan, and Dave Sunday: events.zoom.us/e/view/w1jBI...
December 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
⏰ T-minus 1⃣ hour: There's still time to register and join today's webinar!