Colorado Rethinks Criminal Justice Policy
Governor Jared Polis is making waves with a recent executive order to establish a new entity to replace the now defunct Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
Many on his side of the aisle are questioning the governor's approach and worrying about the impact on the state's criminal justice system in the midst of skyrocketing crime rates.
Governor Jared Polis addressed Colorado’s crime rate in his 2023 State of the State address. Click HERE or above to watch his hour plus address in the Colorado House of Representatives.
The new entity, called the Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice, will be tasked with studying evidence-based practices, conducting stakeholder outreach, and developing recommendations for a future entity by 2024.
While the governor sees this as a step towards making Colorado safer, not everyone is on board with the decision to replace the long-standing Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Some lawmakers have praised the move, claiming the commission had served its purpose. However, others have expressed concerns about the lack of input from those with lived experiences in the criminal justice system.
Tom Raynes, the executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys' Council and co-chair of the working group, has mixed feelings about the decision to dissolve the CCJJ. But he is hopeful that the new working group will be able to build on the successes of the former commission and address any shortcomings.
The group will consist of 17 members, including representatives from different aspects of the criminal justice system, such as law enforcement, victim advocates, and former offenders. State Rep. Mike Weissman (D-HD36), who will serve on the working group as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, believes that having a legislative perspective is crucial in this process.
But not everyone is happy with the governor's involvement in the new entity. Christie Donner, executive director of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, has resigned from previous task forces formed by the now-disbanded CCJJ due to concerns about the lack of representation of those directly affected by the criminal justice system. She also questions the governor's heavy-handed involvement in the process, which she believes undermines the Legislature's role in making policy decisions.
Despite the controversy, many are hopeful that the working group will pave the way for positive change in Colorado's criminal justice system. It will be important for the group to maintain independence and include diverse perspectives in their recommendations.
Governor Polis' decision to establish this new entity has sparked debate across the state, but only time will tell if it brings about much-needed improvements to Colorado's criminal justice system.
Let us hope that this working group will work towards a fair and comprehensive solution to address the rampant crime plaguing our communities.
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