Community Engagement and R+EDD

Local stakeholders recognize that racial and ethnic disproportionality and/or disparity (R+EDD) is an ongoing challenge in Charleston County. The CJCC is committed to working with the community and criminal justice system leaders to reduce R+EDD.

Current efforts include analysis of R+EDD at different points in the justice system. This data is available in our published reports. We are also working on a comprehensive strategy to reduce R+EDD that will involve a diverse group of community members and justice system practitioners.

The CJCC has long recognized the importance of reducing racial and ethnic disproportionality and/or disparity (R+EDD) in the local criminal justice system. We have already undertaken several efforts to grow our infrastructure and understanding to tackle R+EDD. For example, we drafted a toolkit for R+EDD reduction and have completed several relative rate index (RRI) analyses that demonstrate a compelling need for additional work.

Currently, R+EDD is the focus of specifically dedicated strategies to expand R+EDD reduction efforts. Through our R+EDD reduction strategy team, we are diving deeper to systematically assess reasons for R+EDD, and move beyond analysis into concrete interventions guided by best practices. As described in the FY 21-23 Strategic Plan, in partnership with Everyday Democracy, the CJCC is conducting a qualitative community-engaged research study on the impacts of racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparity. Additionally, a Race Equity Fellowship Program is currently in development.