The NCJA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 33: Public Safety Priorities and Trends in the 2024 Governors’ State of the State Speeches May 14, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, learn about the pressing public safety priorities and criminal justice trends highlighted by governors in their annual state of the state speeches. Join National Governors’ Association (NGA) Program Director Ken Hardy and NCJA Program Manager Amanda Blasko as they chart the importance of the state of the state speeches, especially for the public safety community, and discuss how these public safety priorities and trends have evolved over the last several years.

Key Resources:

Find your governor’s state of the state speech and explore NGA’s key commentaries on the 2024 speeches here.
Explore NGA’s Public Safety and Legal Counsel program page to find key resources and briefs on a variety of timely topics.
Read additional state of the state speech highlights from the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO).

Episode 32: Beyond Violence: Strengthening Communities Through CVI Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Are you interested in knowing what participating in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) work is really like?Tune in to episode 32 of The NCJA Podcast and hear from NCJA Program Managers Demaxia Wray and Anica Stieve as they describe their unique expertise from the field and discuss the role of collaboration, the meaning of success in this work, the significance of shared language, and the importance of designing and implementing CVI programs that holistically respond to violence, including the systemic and social factors that drive crime.

Resources:

Episode 31: Program Evaluation: Getting Started and What to Expect Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Interested in learning more about evaluating one of your funded programs? NCJA Center for Justice Planning Director Allison Badger and Program Manager Elisa Nicoletti discuss the basics of program evaluation, including how to balance concerns of fairness, common misconceptions about evaluation, how to support evaluation from a State Administering Agency (SAA) perspective and what to expect when undergoing a program evaluation.

Episode 30: Automated Facial Recognition in Policing: Balancing Effectiveness and Fairness Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Thaddeus Johnson and Dr. Natasha Johnson, professors at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, speak with NCJA Program Manager Amanda Blasko about law enforcement’s use of facial recognition technology, or FRT. This engaging discussion begins with an overview of the use of FRT by law enforcement across the country, then delves into specific findings from the duo’s landmark study investigating FRT use. Learn about the dangers of FRT use as well as the potential public safety benefits and listen as Thad and Natasha describe the research still needed in this space, and what can and must be done to achieve fair outcomes with this technology.

Episode 29: Leveraging Faith-Based Leaders for Gun Violence Prevention: A Conversation with Pastor Monrose Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the NCJA Podcast, we discuss the importance of involving faith-based leaders in gun violence prevention efforts. Join Program Manager Demaxia Wray as she speaks with Pastor Gilford T. Monrose, who, among other accomplishments, founded NYC-based gun violence prevention program the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, or “the GodSquad,” and organized Clergy for Safe Cities, a national coalition supporting clergy-based gun violence prevention efforts. This conversation covers the services provided by the GodSquad, the strong relationships faith-based leaders already have in their communities, and what effective collaboration between state agencies and faith-based leaders should look like.

Episode 28: Engaging Stakeholders Using a Relationship-Based Approach Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

In episode 28 of the NCJA Podcast, learn about the creation of Safe Night. Safe Night works with police departments, local and state enforcement agencies, economic development partners, business improvement districts, private businesses, and community groups and leverages public/private partnerships to improve the safety and vibrancy of communities. Listen as Program Manager Jessica Grisler speaks to co-founders Dimitrios (Jim) and Molly Mastoras about how they utilized their unique areas of expertise to create the Proactive Alliance relationship-based approach training. This approach, which is adapted from evidence-based psychological counseling therapy, teaches individuals how to create and maintain strong relationships with all relevant parties to solve complex public safety issues.

Episode 27: Leadership in Criminal Justice and the Impact of the NCJA Leadership Academy Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, join NCJA Executive Director Chris Asplen as he talks with longtime friend and criminal justice leader Jane Wiseman about leadership in the criminal justice space through the lens of the NCJA Leadership Academy, a multi-month program for senior criminal justice leaders and State Administering Agencies (SAAs). Jane Wiseman is an Innovations in Government Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the leader of the Institute for Excellence in Government. This conversation touches on leadership gaps and needs in the criminal justice space, leading in difficult times, and reflections on Chris’ and Jane’s personal leadership journeys, including the leadership lessons they book took away from their time with former Attorney General Janet Reno and former National Institute of Justice Director Jeremy Travis.

Episode 26: Capacity Building for CBOs: Illinois’ Institute 2 Innovate Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

In episode 26 of the NCJA Podcast, listeners will learn about what capacity building really means and its crucial importance in larger discussions of access and fairness within the criminal justice system. Join Program Manager Amanda Blasko as she talks with Delrice Adams, the executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), about the Institute 2 Innovate, ICJIA’s capacity building project for community-based organizations. The conversation also includes discussions about the workings and development of the Institute 2 Innovate, and advice and takeaways for other agencies hoping to build a similar program.

Episode 25: Veterans' Treatment Courts: Sharing the Success in Adams County, Colorado Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Colorado Municipal Court Judge Brian Bowen joins Allison Badger, director of the NCJA Center for Justice Planning to discuss the creation of the Adams County Court for Veterans. Judge Bowen, who presided over the court for eight years, shares best practice models and resources, how to obtain necessary buy-in from various stakeholders and criminal justice system partners, and highlights key successes.

Key Resources:

“Adams County Court for Veterans: A Probation Alternative for Those Who Served,” Bowen and O'Hair, November 2019, Colorado Lawyer, Vol. 48, No. 10.

All Rise (formerly the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) trainings.

“Drug Court Ten Key Components to Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards Crosswalk,” National Drug Court Resource Center.

“The Surprising Connection Between Brain Injuries and Crime,” Dr. Kim Gorgens, Ph.D., University of Denver School of Professional Psychology, June 2018, Mile High TEDTalk 

Episode 24: An Overview of Restorative Justice Principles Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

This episode of the NCJA Podcast examines the ways in which restorative justice practices and models represent a paradigm shift in justice making. Listen as NCJA Program Manager Amanda Blasko speaks with Dr. Lindsey Pointer, an assistant professor at the Vermont Law and Graduate School and the principal investigator of the National Center on Restorative Justice. They discuss the benefits and importance of restorative justice practices, the key pillars and principles and how restorative justice models and practices fit in to larger discussion of fairness within the criminal justice system.

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