Chair: Dianne Binns

The Criminal Justice committee develops Criminal Justice Action Plans that will advance Criminal Justice Strategies at the local level. The committee's work strengthens families and communities through advocating for a decrease in violence, advancing voter and employment rights of the formerly incarcerated and to downscale prisons while shifting dollars/resources from prisons to schools.

 The purpose of the Criminal Justice Committee is to advance the Smart and Safe Campaign at the local level by promoting alliances, research, legislation and initiatives that will reform criminal justice policies and advocate for public safety as a civil right.

Here is the St. Paul Police Manual for community review: http://www.stpaul.gov/documentcenter/view/70740

Four Components to the Smart and Safe Initiative:

1.  Advancing Sentencing Reform and The Right to Vote for formerly incarcerated people

2.  Advancing Effective Law Enforcement Practices

3.  Elevating and supporting the voices of crime survivors

4.  Removing Employment Barriers for formerly incarcerated people