ONLINE: Dane County Criminal Justice Council

The February 25, 2021, Criminal Justice Council meeting is being held virtually. The public can access the meeting with the Zoom application or by telephone.To join the meeting in Zoom, click the following link (after you fill out the form, the meeting link and access information will be emailed to you): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mwUl3gRtGdCsF0H8o-Wg

This link will be active until the end of the meeting.To join the meeting by phone, dial-in using one of the following three toll-free phone numbers:1-833-548-0276, 1-833-548-0282, 1-888-788-0099. When prompted, enter the following Webinar ID: 872 8242 1693.

If you want to submit a written comment for this meeting, or send handouts for board members, please send them to: menard.lindsay@countyofdane.com

PROCESS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO REGISTER TO SPEAK ON/SUPPORT/OPPOSE AN AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER USING THE LINK ABOVE (even if you plan to attend using your phone). In order to testify (provide public comment), you must be in attendance at the meeting via Zoom or phone, you will then either be unmuted or promoted to a panelist and provided time to speak to the body.Registrations to provide public comment will be accepted until 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting.

press release: Dane County’s Criminal Justice Council (CJC) will be holding its monthly meeting tomorrow, February 25, at 12:15pm.  At the meeting, the CJC will hear from a number of community organizations who partnered with the county to hold initial conversations around a potential community justice center.

A community justice center incorporates procedural fairness, restorative justice, and community centered transformative justice, with a major goal of addressing racial equity.  Community justice centers include social services available for community members, regardless of their involvement with the criminal justice system.  For more information, please see: Community Justice Centers – What It Is/Is Not .

The work of the community organizations builds on a commitment from County Board Chair Analiese Eicher, who also serves as the Chair of the Criminal Justice Council.  “The community needs to be involved every step of the way in order for a community justice center to be successful,” said Eicher.  “I’m looking forward to hearing from the organizations the County partnered with to begin these important conversations”.

The 2020 Dane County budget included funding for a needs assessment, engagement, and initial planning for a community justice center.

“The work these organizations did took place before step one.  It is critical to hear from those most impacted; but they are often left out of the conversation,” said Representative and County Board Supervisor Shelia Stubbs (District 23), who also serves as Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Council – Racial Disparities Subcommittee.  “I’m eager to learn from the community about how a community justice center could be successful, as well as any potential pitfalls they see as we continue to build toward a more transformative justice system”.

The reports of the seven community organizations are available on the agenda for the Criminal Justice Council.  Representatives from several of the organizations will present to the CJC, sharing what they heard from their conversations.

Members of the public can attend the virtual meeting, information to connect and/or register is available on the top of the agenda.