More than 50 officials from across the U.S. participated in a conference focusing on policies that promote safer communities
By Griffith Waller, Deputy Director for Governmental Affairs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Leaders from across the nation met in Montgomery last week to discuss improving public safety and criminal justice.
The CSG Justice Center – a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to developing data-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities – held its annual Advisory Board Meeting in Alabama’s capital city. Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Director Cam Ward currently serves as chair of the advisory board. During the visit, leaders explored sites like the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice while also enjoying a dinner reception at Central.
“We enjoyed the chance to host over 50 officials from the public and private sectors from all over the United States at Montgomery’s Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center,” Ward said. “Those representatives included legislators, judges, executive branch officials, law enforcement leaders and defense attorneys who are committed to ensuring safer, stronger communities across our nation. I am honored to serve as the group’s chairman for the next two years as we promote positive, data-driven criminal justice policies.”
Topics highlighted the national Reentry 2030 initiative as well as strategies to help hold perpetrators of violent crime accountable. In 2023, Alabama was one of the first states to sign on to Reentry 2030, which now includes Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Washington and Nebraska.
The plan focuses on dramatically improving success for people exiting prison and those under supervision. Success is based on programming that embraces job training, career readiness and increased access to mental health and substance use treatment.
For more information on Reentry 2030, visit https://reentry2030.org/ .
