Public meeting dates set for Governor’s Working Group on Justice Policy Reform

Justice 1From Press Release

 

Public meeting dates for the Governor’s Working Group on Justice Policy Reform today were announced after Gov. Terry Branstad announced the formation of the group at the Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities on Aug. 28.  The summit was organized by the Iowa-Nebraska State Conference of Branches for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 

The purpose of the working group is to research and make policy recommendations related to reforms in Iowa criminal justice practices. The group will consist of a core group of experts on justice polices, and have the access to all state agencies and resources for information and assistance.

The public meeting dates are as follows:

 

1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24

G9, Robert Ray Conference Room at the Iowa Capitol
Topic:  Mental health/drug courts and jury pool selection

 

1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30

G9, Robert Ray Conference Room at the Iowa Capitol
Topic:  Juvenile records and prison/jail phone rates

 

1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15

G9, Robert Ray Conference Room at the Iowa Capitol
Topic:  Subgroup updates and open discussion with public

 

1 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2015

G9, Robert Ray Conference Room at the Iowa Capitol
Topic:  Review of subgroup proposals and final strategy recommendations

 

The members of the working group are as follows:

                Adam Gregg – State Public Defender

                Dr. Roxann Ryan – Commissioner of Public Safety

                Betty Andrews – NAACP’s Representative

                David Boyd – State Court Administrator

                Alan Ostergren – County Attorney’s Representative

                Kevin McCarthy – Attorney General’s Representative

                Jerry Bartruff – Director of the Department of Corrections

                John Hodges – Chair, Iowa Board of Parole

 

The working group members will set aside three hours for each meeting.  The meetings could end before the conclusion of the three hours allocated if there are not further comments from the public, stakeholders or working group members.

The Governor’s Working Group on Justice Policy Reform will present a written report to the governor, stakeholders, and the public in November, so that the Iowa Legislature can consider these recommendations in the 2016 legislative session.