In 2022, 63 percent of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in the U.S. went unsolved—an all-time high. Failure to solve violent crimes and provide justice for victims and their families leads to decreased trust in the justice system and may result in increased retaliatory violence. Unsolved violent crimes, like many aspects of the criminal justice system, reveal deep racial disparities. In 2021, Black Americans were victims of homicide at a rate nearly 8 times higher than White people. But homicides of Black victims were twice as likely to go unsolved as those of White victims. Learn more about unsolved crime rates. 

In a recent op-ed, former Senator Evan Bayh emphasized the critical need to reform health care access within the criminal justice system. The challenges he highlights—such as the loss of Medicaid coverage for pretrial detainees—are being addressed by CSG Justice Center-supported initiatives like ensuring corrections agencies are equipped to respond to recent federal changes that expand Medicaid coverage for youth who are incarcerated. Expanding access to Medicaid improves behavioral health outcomes, increases substance use treatment, and facilitates transitions from pre- to post-release. By expanding Medicaid, we can create a more equitable justice system that supports successful reintegration and improves public safety.

Up to 65 percent of people who are incarcerated have a substance use disorder, a critical issue that must be addressed to end disparities in our health care and justice systems. Accessible and equitable treatment is key to reducing recidivism and lowering jail populations. CSG Justice Center initiatives like Stepping Up are working to advance support systems for substance use disorders and divert people away from incarceration by connecting them with behavioral health resources.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has introduced the "Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together" initiative, a comprehensive reentry strategy aimed at reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for Virginians on probation. This initiative prioritizes employment, health coverage, and community integration, leveraging cross-agency partnerships to support successful reintegration. By addressing the critical barriers faced by people returning to their communities, Virginia is taking a significant step toward enhancing public safety and fostering long-term stability for individuals and communities alike.

This webinar serves as a companion to the brief, “Centering Lived Expertise: How to Meaningfully Elevate the Voices of People Directly Impacted by the Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Systems,” and will cover the continuum of different types of engagement, outline steps for how counties can set the stage for meaningful engagement, and provide a brief look at how the CSG Justice Center put these principles into action through forming a lived experience advisory panel.  

September 11, 2024 

1:30–3:00 p.m. ET

Join this webinar for an overview of data and research about mothers who experience incarceration and its effects on children and family members. Presenters will share strategies to meet the needs of children, parents, and family members and to overcome barriers to family engagement in reentry processes. Attendees will also learn about gender-responsive evidence-based programming and family therapy modalities that address women’s substance use and/or mental health needs during reentry and support family healing and well-being. Register here! 

September 17, 2024 

2:00–3:30 p.m. ET

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