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2017 Conference

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Transforming Our Criminal Justice System: Engaging Our Community

• 249 attendees registered
• 17 speakers
• 17 exhibiting organizations
• 4 faith leaders introducing panels
• 4 panel presentations
• 3 CJCC films
• 1 objective

On November 18, 2017 The Episcopal Forum of South Carolina, with support and collaboration by the Charleston County CJCC and City of Charleston Police Department Illumination Project, hosted a one-day conference focused on current criminal justice practices within our community, ways in which areas of weakness are being addressed, and how the community can constructively engage in promoting further improvement. The long-term goal is a criminal justice system that is effective, efficient and equitable.

Press Release

• Press release, issued by Episcopal Forum of South Carolina, August 3, 2017
• Press release, issued by CJCC, November 14, 2017

Printed Materials

• View conference flyer here
• View conference program here
• Criminal Justice Service providers at conference

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Media Coverage

• Criminal justice reform conference meant to spark engagement among faithful by Adam Parker, Post & Courier (August 26, 2017)
• It takes a village to reform the criminal justice system by Brian Hicks, Post & Courier (September 1, 2017)
• Criminal justice reform conference rescheduled for Nov. 18 by Adam Parker, Post & Courier (October 13, 2017)
• Charleston-area leaders, officials to discuss criminal justice reform at Saturday event by Gregory Yee, Post & Courier (November 14, 2017)
• Charleston-area residents, officials, call on community to take action on reforming criminal justice system by Gregory Yee, Post & Courier. (November 18, 2017)
• WCSC, Live 5 News, by Jackson Holms, station videographer and reporter, evening news (November 18, 2017)
• State needs a second round of criminal justice reform Opinion piece authored by State Senator George “Chip” Campsen III (R), Post & Courier (November 20, 2017)
  
  In the first paragraph, Senator Campsen describes the conference as a “shining example of faith-based communities constructively addressing complex issues touching upon nature, government and a transcendent moral order.
  
• Working For More Justice in the Criminal Justice System, Lowcountry Graduate Center Blog (December 13, 2017)

Presentation Materials

• Getting connected by LaVanda Brown, YWCA of Greater Charleston
• Seeing the whole picture: polarity thinking by Margaret Seidler, Illumination Project
• Criminal justice transformation in South Carolina newsreel [MP4]
• Table group discussion #2, by LaVanda Brown, YWCA of Greater Charleston

Local & Statewide Perspectives on Current Justice Systems & Opportunities for Improvement

• Kristy Danford, Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) (PDF)
• Bryan Stirling, Director, South Carolina Department of Corrections and representative of the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Oversight Committee  (Video)
• Questions of the panel by LaVanda Brown, YWCA of Greater Charleston and Margaret Seidler Illumination Project (PDF) (Video)

Matters of Pretrial Justice That Align with Legal Foundations & Best Practices

• Panel introduction by Imam M. Bourouis El-Idrissi, Central Mosque of Charleston  (Video)
• Honorable Leroy Linen, Chief Magistrate, Charleston County  (PDF) (Video)
• Simulation of pretrial services (Video)
• Ashley Pennington, Ninth Circuit Defender (Charleston and Berkeley Counties),  (Video)
• Mitch Lucas, CJCC Chairman and Assistant Sheriff, Charleston County  (Video)
• Table group discussion #4 by LaVanda Brown, YWCA of Greater Charleston  (PDF)
• Panel discussion, facilitated by Margaret Seidler Illumination Project (Video)

Addressing the Needs of Those Living with Mental Illness, Addiction and/or Homelessness

• Panel Introduction: Rich Robinson, Senior Chaplain & Executive Director, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy  (Video)
• Dr. Chanda Brown, Charleston Center Director and CJCC Co-Vice Chair   (PDF) (Video)
• Simulation of law enforcement deflecting to Tri-county Crisis Stabilization Center (Video)
• Deborah Blalock, Charleston Dorchester Community Mental Health Center Director and CJCC Co-Vice Chair (Video)
• Jeff Yungman, One80 Place Legal Services, Director (Video)
• Panel discussion (Video)

Proven Practices to Reduce Re-offending in High-Risk Populations

• Panel Introduction: Rich Robinson, Senior Chaplain & Executive Director, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy (Video)
• Kristy Danford, Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)  (Video)
• Gregory Mullen, Retired City of Charleston Police Chief  (Video)
• Amy Barch, Turning Leaf Project, Founder  (PDF) (Video)
• Turning Leaf Project classroom exercise (Video)
• Deon Noel, Turning Leaf Project student (Video)
• Sally Yates speech on criminal justice transformation (Video)
• Kristy Danford, Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)  (PDF) (Video)
• Closing group discussions  (PDF-1) (PDF-2)