The Statewide Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) was established by Governor Scott Walker through Executive Order #65 in April 2012 (and continued through multiple additional executive orders). The CJCC was re-created by Governor Tony Evers in August 2019, through Executive Order #41 and most recently on December 21, 2023, with Executive Order #218. The CJCC has brought together key state and local decision-makers as a collaborative body to assess the criminal justice system and improve system outcomes. The Council is co-chaired by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy. The mission of the State CJCC is to promote and facilitate the implementation of effective criminal justice policies and practices that maximize justice and the safety of the public. One of the top priorities for the council is to reduce future growth in Wisconsin’s correctional institutions by reducing criminal recidivism through more effective management and operation of the state criminal justice system.
The State CJCC is currently supporting numerous projects including:
- Working to expand and enhance resources for local CJCCs and programs under the Evidence Based Decision Making Initiative;
- Providing support and guidance regarding the implementation and efficacy of the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion program, as well as other evidence-based program models;
- Supporting and identifying statewide data sharing tools and resources to build criminal justice resource capacity;
- Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system; and
- Providing strategic planning for system-wide federal formula and discretionary grant programs in support of its mission.
