Reentry 2030 has launched in its latest state. Washington joins a national effort to improve reentry outcomes for people leaving jails or under supervision. With an executive order signed by Governor Jay Inslee, the state has set ambitious goals to ensure successful reintegration, including achieving zero returns to homelessness by 2030, securing employment for 40 percent of people within six months after release, and ensuring that 100 percent of eligible individuals are enrolled in Medicaid before release. This commitment aims to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism, and provide crucial support for people transitioning back into their communities.

Across the country, 7,152 provisions of state law restrict people from accessing jobs in the health care industry solely based on their criminal history. These barriers hurt access to jobs, limit who employers can hire, and contribute to a growing health care worker shortage. It's time to rethink and reform hiring practices. By removing unnecessary barriers and embracing inclusive hiring, policymakers and employers can open up new opportunities that benefit both the economy and our communities. Read more in our new report. 

As we continue to celebrate Recovery Month, this week also marks Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week, which honors the responders who provide aid to community members facing behavioral health and poverty-related issues. This week, we are shining a spotlight on the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART) from Durham, NC, which has established itself as a vital function of the city’s crisis response system, distributing Narcan to help reduce overdoses and using a harm reduction approach to connect people to support. HEART consists of four response units: a Crisis Call Diversion program, community response teams, co-response teams, and follow-up care navigation. HEART has become an integral part of Durham’s emergency response efforts.

A new American Bar Association report highlights mental health courts, an alternative for people with mental illnesses in the justice system. With over 300 such courts nationwide, mental health courts aim to reduce recidivism through treatment-focused programs. Hallie Fader-Towe, director of justice and health initiatives at the CSG Justice Center, points out their potential but urges all courts to adopt mental health practices, challenging the justice system to think beyond specialized programs and reshape its approach to mental health overall.

Join us for an upcoming webinar on the initial findings from the Youth Protective Factors Study, a multistate, multiyear research collaboration with the UMass Chan Medical School and UC Berkeley’s Risk-Resilience Lab. This new study explores youth reoffending, risk factors, protective factors, and effective services. As concerns about youth crime rise, it’s important to know the facts and prioritize resources effectively. Learn how to tailor strategies for high-risk youth and assess protective factors. This webinar is a great opportunity for juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to gain valuable insights and take action. 



October 2, 2024 

2:00–3:00 p.m. ET

Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to experience academic and social-emotional issues, which can cause stress and stigma for the child and family. This webinar, which is the first in a series, will provide correctional facilities and educational systems with strategies to diminish implicit biases; create affirming spaces; and learn how to support children, caregivers, and families of incarcerated parents. Click here to register!

October 3, 2024 

2:30–3:30 p.m. ET

This Ask the Expert session will feature Kevin O’Connell, a researcher and consultant working in county cross-agency planning by putting data to work in problem-solving. He will walk participants through an approach for prioritizing often interrelated justice and behavioral health efforts in building a common strategy for cross-agency collaboration. The session will cover an approach for developing and prioritizing projects in transparent ways focusing on key county priorities, project risk, and complexity. Register here!  

October 3, 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.