Message From Board Chair, Peg Erlanger

I am pleased to announce that Sarah Compton has joined CJPC as our new Executive Director. CJPC is poised for growth and with a full-time executive director, we believe we are in a position to play an even greater role in criminal justice reform. Sarah was the staff liaison to Governor Patrick's Public Safety & Security Working Group during his transition. She was also a regional field organizer for the Deval Patrick gubernatorial campaign. Sarah has an extensive communications background -- she was vice president of an international public relations firm and partner in a communications firm serving primarily non-profit clients. I hope that you will feel free to contact Sarah at (617) 426-5222 or [email protected].

Our former executive director, Brandyn Keating, has joined the Board of CJPC and will continue to contribute significantly to our work. Brandyn has done an extraordinary job at CJPC. We are thankful for all that she has accomplished, wish her luck in her new position, and welcome her as a Board member.

This is an exciting time for CJPC! We are working for legislative and administrative changes that will increase public safety, increase access to addiction treatment and improve prisoner re-entry. Our areas of focus include: CORI reform, Department of Correction reform, sentencing reform and addiction treatment. CJPC plays a lead role with coalitions working to educate the public and gain legislative support for improvements in criminal justice policy. In addition, we continue to be a source of information on criminal justice reform through our newsletter and other forums, and we are committed to bringing new issues to the forefront.

We want to keep our supporters informed and involved. Read on in Sarah's Director's Update for specific news about CJPC's current focus and look for regular updates from Sarah. Thank you for your support of the CJPC and the work we do.

Peg Erlanger, Chair, CJPC

DIRECTOR'S UPDATE

Message From Executive Director, Sarah Compton

Dear CJPC Friends,

I am excited to be at CJPC and to have the opportunity to continue the important work that CJPC is already doing while initiating additional new projects on key issues. I am also looking forward to working with CJPC's many members and friends, and I hope you will feel free to contact me with your questions, comments, ideas and suggestions. Following is an update of recent activity. I will continue to keep you informed about CJPC's work.

CJPC's Public Safety Act Outreach Gains Momentum; Other Initiatives:

CJPC continues to be a leader in a broad coalition working to communicate the importance of the pending Public Safety Act, other re-entry legislation, and needed administrative changes. In addition to discussing these issues with legislators and other key decision-makers, we are expanding our coalitions to include a growing number of community, religious, and business leaders; individuals directly affected by these issues; and other organizations.

We will send more details shortly, but I want to let you know that the Joint Committee on the Judiciary has set a public hearing for September 18 on CORI Reform and other re-entry issues. The hearing is at 1:00 p.m. and we hope you will plan to attend. Both turnout and testimony are needed. If you are interested in attending and/or testifying, please let me know. While at the State House for the hearing, we will also be coordinating visits with legislative offices.

CJPC is also organizing at the grassroots level. As an example, we helped send a bus of constituents from southeastern Massachusetts to the State House to meet with their legislators on lobby day. We also co-sponsored a conference on criminal justice advocacy at Suffolk University. CJPC once again coordinated the criminal justice workshop at the NASW Legislative Education and Action Day at the State House. Our Brockton chapter continues to grow in strength and numbers. Lead by CJPC board member Stanley Johnson, the group meets regularly and is currently continuing a series of meetings with legislators. A group of 16 members recently met with Rep. Christine Canavan to discuss The Public Safety Act and other re-entry legislation.

CJPC Initiates Dialogue on Sex Offender Issues and Co-Sponsors NASW Conference

CJPC is committed to identifying criminal justice areas where reform is needed, educating the public about these issues, creating forums for discussion, and developing strategy. We are exploring ways to create a greater awareness of the issues surrounding current sex offender laws. We are pleased to announce that we are co-sponsors of an NASW conference, "Sexual Offending: Prevention and Management for Families, Agencies & Communities." The conference will take place on Saturday, November 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Boston College. The keynote address will be given by Robin J. Wilson, an expert on Circles of Support and Accountability, a restorative justice approach to managing high-risk sex offenders that was initiated in Canada. We will let you know of other opportunities and events surrounding this issue.

Help Influence Criminal Justice Policy: Support the Work of CJPC

Many of you joined the approximately 120 attendees at our annual meeting and banquet in May where you had the opportunity to learn about CJPC's current work and hear remarks by Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, Undersecretary for Criminal Justice in the Executive Office of Public Safety. At the banquet, we honored Sen. Robert Creedon, Chair, Judiciary Committee; CJPC organizational member Roca; and member Tara St. Preux. Thank you for your support of this event.

CJPC needs your support to continue the important work we do and have the resources to expand our role in criminal justice reform. Please consider a contribution to CJPC. And, if you are not a member, please consider joining.

You can also join and contribute by going to: https://www.communityroom.net/NPOMissi on.asp?305.

Look for our next update in the coming months! In the meantime, please contact me at any time if you have questions or want to be involved. (If you would prefer not to receive these updates, just let us know at [email protected] )

Sarah