Recent News

Through a review of previously unreleased data and a series of in-depth interviews with returning citizens and service providers, "Beyond Second Chances: Returning Citizens™ Re-entry Struggles and Successes in the District of Columbia," provides the most complete picture to date of the challenges that returning citizens face in D.C. and offers recommendations to help them succeed when reintegrating into their communities.

June B. Kress, D.Crim., has announced that she will step down from the Council for Court Excellence (CCE) after leading the organization as executive director for more than 12 years. Dr. Kress will continue with CCE through mid-2017 to ensure a smooth and successful transition for her successor.

The Silbert Fellowship is named for Earl J. Silbert, former president of the Council for Court Excellence, and is awarded to an individual studying at the graduate level who demonstrates a passion for improving the justice system as exemplified by Mr. Silbert throughout his career. Click heading for complete information and application instructions.

On September 8, 2016, the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor released a report examining the statutory duties, management, operations, and performance of the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), established in 2001 to increase the quality and fairness of administrative justice in the District government. The Council for Court Excellence prepared the report entitled, "Administrative Justice in the District of Columbia: Recommendations to Improve DC's Office of Administrative Hearings."

In 2015, the Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC) chose CCE to collaborate on a project to survey District residents about public safety and community-police relations. On June 28, 2016, CPDC released the report detailing CCE's findings and recommendations.

Recently, CCE policy analyst Emily Tatro sat down with 2016 Justice Potter Steward Award recipient Tammy Seltzer, director of the DC Jail & Prison Advocacy Project (JPAP) for Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services (ULS). Emily, previously a legal fellow for JPAP, asked Tammy about her many years as a champion for people with disabilities.

On Thursday, December 10, 2015, CCE held its annual December board meeting and program. This years program was titled "Beyond Second Chances: What is Working and What is Needed to Help Returning Citizens Succeed", pointing to CCE's reentry work that goes back to 2006 and includes legislative proposals, policy recommendations, and structural reform in the areas of expungement, unemployment and recidivism, parole, and clemency.

During CCE's annual December board meeting, the organization's Executive Committee presented longtime Board Director Steve Grafman with the Horsky Award, given to board directors in recognition of their exemplary service to the Council.

CCE's Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Cliff Keenan, assembled on short notice a Parole Working Group consisting of interested CCE Board Directors and others to study a concern articulated by a number of judges, lawyers, and professionals who were involved with the sentencing of Superior Court prisoners convicted of felonies back in the decade before the 1997 Revitalization Act. The Revitalization Act, among other things, eliminated the local Parole Board and transferred parole authority to the US Parole Commission (USPC). The concern expressed was that prisoners sentenced in the decade prior to the Revitalization Act were still in prison, apparently long past what participants in the sentencing -- judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys – assumed would have been paroled under local 1987 parole guidelines that the USPC should have considered in exercising its parole discretion.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Roger M. Adelman. Roger was a great friend of CCE and the recipient of the 2015 Justice Potter Stewart Award. A true legend of the law, Mr. Adelman has left behind a legacy as a prosecutor, teacher, and mentor.

CCE is pleased to share its 2014 Annual Report with you. This publication sums up an exceptionally busy and productive year for CCE, with solid reform activities, new partnerships and initiatives, and a few challenging transitions. Thank you for making 2014 a great year for our organization, and for helping us seek justice system accessibility for all.

CCE staff had a chance to interview our new Board Chair, Marie Johns, and Board President, Irvin Nathan. Learn about their priority areas for 2015 and beyond below.