Criminal Justice Commission positions

This is from Mary at La Crosse Waking Up White:

As people learn about systemic racism they ask, "What can I do".  Here is a concrete way to make a difference.  Consider being a "citizen member" of the La Crosse County Criminal Justice Management Council. This committee has made some substantial changes in our community's criminal justice system. They initiated the "System of Care" which has made progress on the disproportionate contact of black youth with the criminal justice system.

Here is the information about applying to become a citizen member of County Criminal Justice Management Council. NOTE the DEADLINE is July 29th.

"The Criminal Justice Management Council (CJMC) is currently recruiting citizen members to fill 3 open seats on the council. Candidates selected will participate in an active and engaged committee that applies a forward thinking philosophy to create and support enhancements to the criminal justice system. These include reducing disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system, treatment courts and other alternatives to incarceration, evidence based decision making in arrest and detention decisions, and gender-specific programming in jail and the community. Our current focus is on developing a plan to make our system more responsive to racial injustice, people experiencing trauma, and implementing strategies that are based on research and best practices. Since its creation in 2000, the CJMC has advised the County Board on establishing and fostering innovative correctional policies for juvenile and adult offenders.

In selecting new members, preference will be given to citizens who have felt the effects of the criminal justice system, have been involved in promoting racial justice in the community, have a strong interest in equity issues, or bring a diverse perspective to the table. In order to bring a greater balance to the council, BIPOC, LGBTQ and other marginalized community members are encouraged to apply.

The CJMC is composed of 21 members – the county board chair, three county board supervisors, a judge, sheriff, district attorney, one representative each of the WI Department of Corrections, the WI Public Defender’s Office, and the La Crosse School District, the Director of Human Services, the police chief of the City of La Crosse and a police chief from another municipality in La Crosse County, along with eight citizen members. Citizen members are crucial to the CJMC, since they bring diversity and insight into community concerns to the Council.

The Council meets monthly in the County Courthouse, and members are strongly encouraged to attend regularly. Citizen member terms are for three years. Interested citizens are encouraged to submit a letter of application, including their name, address, phone number and email address. Please include a brief statement describing how your background qualifies you for serving on the CJMC, and reflect on how you will contribute to the bettering of our community.

Please submit your application to: Monica Kruse, County Board Chair, 212 6^th Street North, Room 2400, La Crosse, WI 54601 or email to: mkruse@lacrossecounty.org by July 29, 2020.

Thank you,

Monica Kruse