The staff at the CSG Justice Center would like to take a moment to thank you all for being loyal readers of our Justice Briefing newsletter! The Justice Briefing is a crucial tool to engage the public and stakeholders on criminal justice issues. We value your voice. To better serve our readership, we are conducting a brief survey to better understand your needs.

Recent Medicaid changes present powerful opportunities to enhance health care for people who are incarcerated or transitioning back to the community. A new National Reentry Resource Center webpage, created in partnership with the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides an overview of legislation and guidance, analysis of the Medicaid and corrections landscape, details on upcoming events, and other key resources. We invite corrections professionals to use these insights to improve health outcomes and support successful reentry.

With guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, states can now provide reimbursement for certain Medicaid services for individuals up to 90 days before their release from a correctional facility with an approved waiver. Our latest brief—developed in partnership the Center for Health Care Strategies on behalf of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance—explores how state and local corrections agencies can leverage this opportunity to improve health outcomes, support recovery, and enhance reentry success. Find it under the Resources tab. 

According to recently released FBI crime figures, violent crime in the U.S. decreased by 10.3 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This analysis covers crime trends from January to June 2024. These findings come on the tail of a study released by the Council on Criminal Justice this summer, which reported that violent crimes in 2024 have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, marking a significant decline from the heightened crime rates seen during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These statistics make it clear that now is the time to invest in reentry services, reduce prison populations, and reduce recidivism.

On September 25, 2024, CSG Justice Center staff delivered impactful presentations at the State Crisis Intervention Team Symposium in State College, PA. Experts Ernie Stevens, Kate Reed, and PJ Houston shared key insights on crisis intervention in Pennsylvania. They presented results from a comprehensive statewide survey of crisis intervention teams, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The team also discussed crisis call protocols and highlighted the Connect and Protect grant initiative's role in bettering mental health support services. This symposium demonstrated the organization’s commitment to improving mental health services and laid the groundwork for enhanced statewide crisis intervention strategies in PA.

This webinar will serve as a companion to the brief “Mind Matters: Building a Justice System That Is Inclusive and Responsive to Brain Injury” and provide background, guiding research, and key findings and recommendations for improving responses to people living with brain injury who encounter the justice system. It will feature brain injury experts and criminal justice professionals who have applied best practices to address brain injury in the justice setting.

October 17, 2024

1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

During this webinar, participants will learn from the CSG Justice Center and the National Resource Center on Justice-Involved Women about effective gender-responsive and trauma-informed reentry planning strategies, as well as crisis response interventions. Presenters will emphasize the importance of integrating peers and using culturally responsive screening and assessments to ensure effective connections to care.  



October 30, 2024 

2:00–3:30 p.m. ET

Interested in learning more about the work of the CSG Justice Center? Check out our other newsletters and subscribe to gain access to resources and up-to-date information.