Institute for State Criminal Justice and Public Safety Executives

Seattle | May 21-22, 2019

NGA hosted 34 states in Seattle to discuss issues around criminal justice and public safety at the 2019 Institute for State Public Safety Executives. Held in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Criminal Justice Association, state criminal justice policy advisers and administering agency directors discussed priority issues, effective communications strategies, drug trends, medication assisted treatment, juvenile justice and human trafficking, among other issues.

Agenda

DAY 1: Tuesday, May 21

Welcome

Representatives from the National Governors Association, National Criminal Justice Association, Department of Justice, and the state of Washington will welcome participants and provide an overview of the meeting.

• Speakers:
  • Jeff McLeod, Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association
  • Chris Asplen, Executive Director, National Criminal Justice Association
  • Michael Costigan, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
  • Sonja Hallum, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Jay Inslee

The State of the States

Following state introductions, NGA will review results from the 2019 CJPA survey on state criminal justice and public safety priorities. NCJA will also provide an overview of the role of SAAs in states. State participants will discuss gubernatorial priorities and identify the top public safety and criminal justice challenges facing their states.

• Speakers:
  • Elise Simonsen, Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
  • Deb Matteucci, Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Association

Effective Communications on Criminal Justice Issues

Panelists will also discuss how governor’s offices can effectively work with state agencies to craft criminal justice messages, and how to amplify stakeholder messaging when confronted with system challenges.

• Moderator:
  • Jeff Locke, Program Director, NGA Homeland Security * Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
• Speakers:
  • Chris Asplen, Executive Director, National Criminal Justice Association
  • Jaime Smith, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs, Office of Governor Jay Inslee
  • Marc Levin, Vice President of Criminal Justice Policy, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Coast to Coast Drug Trends: Emerging Threats and State Response

This session will provide an overview of national drug trends, with an emphasis on opioids and the resurgence of methamphetamine and cocaine. Panelists will discuss how states have been impacted and highlight opportunities for state-federal partnership.

• Moderator:
  • Elise Simonsen, Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
• Discussant:
  • Walter “Pete” Landon, Director, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, State of Maryland
• Speakers:
  • Keith Weis, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Rebecca Rose, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice
  • Chris Gibson, Director, Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA)

Navigating Tough Negotiations

This session will provide frameworks for supporting your governor, advocating for state agencies, and working with state legislatures on criminal justice issues. Panelists will discuss key negotiating challenges and share best practices on 1) identifying your interests; 2) opting for mutual gain; and 3) replying on your BATNA.

• Moderator:
  • Kalyn Hill, Senior Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
• Speakers:
  • Alison Lawrence, Program Director, Criminal Justice, National Conference of State Legislatures
  • Adam Eitmann, Legislative Affairs Director, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech)
  • Karhlton Moore, Executive Director, Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services

Innovations and Emerging Trends in Criminal Justice

This session will highlight innovative programs and reforms happening in our criminal justice system. Panelists will discuss inside-the-wall reforms, the use of medication assisted treatment, leveraging Medicaid, and strategies for bolstering reentry efforts to reduce recidivism.

• Moderator:
  • Deb Matteucci, Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Association
• Speakers:
  • Leann Bertsch, Director, North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Andrew Barnes, Executive Deputy Secretary of Policy and Planning, Office of Governor Tom Wolf
  • Steve Woolworth, Vice President, Pioneer Human Services

Current State of Juvenile Justice

This session will provide an overview of juvenile reform efforts being undertaken in states and discuss the continuums of community-based care (including funding challenges, evaluating community-based programming, and aftercare options). This panel with review the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and its impact on jurisdictions.

• Moderator:
  • Kalyn Hill, Senior Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
• Speakers:
  • Tanya Washington, Senior Associate, Juvenile Justice Strategy Group, Annie E. Casey Foundation
  • Michelle Garcia, Director, DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants

State-Only Focus Group

NGA will lead a focus group conversation with state participants around emerging criminal justice and public safety issues, challenges, and innovative strategies in states.

Wrap-Up

• Speakers:
  • Jeff McLeod, Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association
  • Chris Asplen, Executive Director, National Criminal Justice Association

DAY 2: Wednesday, May 22

Welcome

• Speakers:
  • Jeff McLeod, Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association
  • Chris Asplen, Executive Director, National Criminal Justice Association

State Strategies for Combatting Human Trafficking

This panel will highlight statewide, governor-led efforts to combat human trafficking. Panelists will discuss promising programs to support survivors and other strategies to support these efforts.

• Moderator:
  • Jeff Locke, Program Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association
• Speakers:
  • Leslie Chambers, Policy Advisor, Office of Governor John Bel Edwards
  • Dae Shogren, Statewide Program Manager, Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Breakout Session I: Cyber Security Considerations for States

This session will discuss cybersecurity threats facing states and considerations for public safety agencies.

• Moderator:
  • Deb Matteucci, Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Association
• Speakers:
  • Bryan Lockerby, Administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Department of Justice
  • Jeff McLeod, Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association

Breakout Session II: Data-Driven Decision Making

This panel with discuss the upcoming transition to the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and how NIBRS can provide more useful statistics to promote constructive discussion, measured policy planning, and informed policing. The session will also discuss how states can build partnerships with research institutions to make informed criminal justice policy decisions.

• Moderator:
  • Elise Simonsen, Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association
• Speakers:
  • Cynthia Barnett-Ryan, Survey Statistician, Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Lauren Knoth, Senior Research Associate, Washington State Institute for Public Policy

Federal Legislative Update & Listening Session

This session will review relevant federal funding opportunities and key legislation on the horizon. Participants will also discuss how to strengthen state and federal partnerships.

• Speakers:
  • Elizabeth Pyke, Director of Government Affairs, National Criminal Justice Association
  • Rebecca Rose, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice
  • Kalyn Hill, Senior Policy Analyst, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association

Wrap-Up

• Speakers:
  • Jeff McLeod, Director, NGA Homeland Security & Public Safety, National Governors Association
  • Chris Asplen, Executive Director, National Criminal Justice Association