Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Established in 2017, the binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee explores a range of issues, including: sentencing reform; strategies to reduce recidivism; the role and use of specialty courts; alternatives to incarceration; police and community relations; victims’ rights; and more. Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the MLC Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee.

Committee activities include ongoing policy research, webinars and in-person meetings. The committee officers for 2023-2024 are Nebraska Sen. John Cavanaugh and Wisconsin Sen. Jesse James (co-chairs) and Ohio Sen. Michele Reynolds (vice chair). Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the committee. The CSG Midwest staff liaison for the committee is Laura Kliewer.

The MLC Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee last met and led sessions at the 2024 Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

2024 committee meeting: Information and resources

• “How Data, Evidence-Based Policy and Legislative Oversight Can Drive Improvements to State Criminal Justice Systems” | Ben Eikey, Manager for State Training & Development, Levin Center for Oversight & Democracy, Wayne State University, and Laura van der Lugt, Deputy Program Director of State Initiatives, CSG Justice Center »
• “Adult Violent Crime & Accountability Trends” | Madeleine Dardeau, Deputy Program Director, CSG Justice Center »
• “Navigating Youth Crime, Violence and Behavioral Health: What Does the Data Say? Three Facts to Know, Three Steps to Take” | Josh Weber, Deputy Program Director, CSG Justice Center »
• Stateline Midwest article on “Youth Arrests and Violent Crime Are Down, But Other Trends Point to Need for New Policy Approaches” »
• Agenda »

The MLC Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee meets at least once a year as part of the MLC Annual Meeting, most recently in Columbus in 2024 and Detroit in 2023. It also regularly holds webinars and conducts policy research for the Midwest’s state and provincial legislators.