Justice. Equity. Safety.
Focused on maximizing justice, equity, and the safety of the public, the Community Justice Council (formerly the Criminal Justice Council) of Dane County is committed to progress and innovation in all aspects of the criminal justice realm. Composed of major criminal justice leaders and stakeholders, the CJC strives to make equitable and evidence-based improvements for the county through initiatives such as the Data-Driven Justice Initiative, utilizing the Public Safety Assessment when assessing defendants, and expanding the Community Restorative Court through support from the MacArthur Foundation. The Council encourages community involvement through monthly public meetings where members of the community are invited to make public comment.
The Dane County Criminal Justice Council shall: (a) provide an on-going forum for collaboration and coordinated leadership among criminal justice agencies, (b) Facilitate the implementation of effective, efficient, data-driven criminal justice policies and practices that maximize justice, equity, and the safety of the public, (c) Monitor and ensure accountability of the criminal justice system, (d) Provide program oversight for criminal justice initiatives.
Comprehensive Report Released on Justice and Behavioral Health Collaboration-Oct 2025
A new report examining the intersection of the justice system and behavioral health, based on the Sequential Intercept Model, has been released by Policy Research Inc. of Delmar, NY. This initiative engaged nearly 70 stakeholders—including municipal and circuit court judges, community advocates, attorneys, clinicians, and others—who are dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs involved in the justice system.
Sincere thanks to the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge for their technical support, and to every valued community member who participated in the two-day workshop and helped advance this important work.
Read the report here: Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Report for Dane County