NCSL and Montana Lawmakers Work Together
NCSL staffer Kate Bryan recently presented information on victims’ rights and services before the Montana Criminal Justice Oversight Council. Bryan covered topics including federal and state sources of funding and legislation addressing victims during initial contact with law enforcement, during the pretrial release process and other court proceedings, and post-conviction. She also discussed victim compensation and services.
NCSL Launches Legislator Police Academy
Sixteen lawmakers and legislative staff gathered in Denver for the kickoff meeting of NCSL’s new Legislator Police Academy. Lawmakers visited the suburban Erie Police Department to hear from a panel of female officers whose positions in the department ranged from chief and command staff to patrol officers and public information officer. Participants also spent a day at NCSL’s offices engaging with their peers and policy experts to learn more about policing policy and share their own experiences and expertise.
Incorporating Data and Evidence into Criminal Justice Policy Decisions
Criminal justice reform efforts are underway across the country, and good data is key to their success. Legislatures are examining every part of the system, seeking to improve pretrial practices, refine sentencing laws and align corrections and supervision practices with evidence-based principles. Using data, lawmakers are learning more about factors driving people’s involvement in the criminal justice system, population trends and operational costs. Learn more about how data informs decisions and strategies states are using to support data-driven reforms.
Incentives for Supervision Compliance
Many state laws address community supervision, including both court-ordered probation and post-incarceration parole. Several states have laws in place that address violations of supervision. States are now taking steps to incentivize compliance with supervision, reinforcing positive behaviors. Learn more about recent state actions to incentivize supervision compliance through positive reinforcement.
The Cache
In the News
- Voters in Alabama overwhelmingly approved changes to their state constitution, frequently cited as the longest in the world. The measures allow for the removal of archaic language and outdated provisions from the 1901 constitution. In all, 10 amendments were approved in Alabama, including “Aniah’s Law” which changed the state constitution to allow courts to deny bail to individuals charged with violent crimes. Previously, all defendants, except those charged with capital offenses, had a right to bail.
- More than 75% of voters in Ohio supported a constitutional amendment requiring courts to consider public safety when setting bail amounts. The change in language stemmed from a recent state Supreme Court decision finding the practice of judges setting high bail amounts with the intent to detain an individual pretrial unconstitutional.
- Reporters at The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news outlet focused on criminal justice, analyzed seven key criminal justice takeaways from the midterm elections.