As Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) continue to expand in number and scope across the country, their organizational structure has become an important factor in working with justice stakeholders and implementing initiatives in their communities. JMI sat down with two members of the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) – Chris Csonka, Executive Director of East Baton Rouge Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and Catoya Roberts, director of Milwaukee Community Justice Council – to discuss how their organizations became consolidated entities and how that has impacted their CJCC’s work. Read More…

As the reach and impact of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) broadens, the role of community members serving in high-level positions has become a major point of interest for both existing CJCC members and the communities they serve. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives, CJCCs are increasingly ensuring that their decisions are shaped by those with first-hand experience rather than relying solely on justice stakeholders. JMI contacted members of the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) to learn about how CJCCs select community members to join boards and subcommittees, and how those members are strengthening their CJCCs and communities.  Read More…

Kellie McBride, Director of Criminal Justice Services, and Judge Michael Menahan, First Judicial Court of Montana, sat down with JMI to discuss their experiences in the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) of Lewis and Clark County, Montana. Lewis and Clark County is located in western Montana, with a population of 72,223 (as of 2021). Read More…