Recent News

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.

CCE is proud to announce that Earl J. Silbert and Jay A. Brozost received the 2015 Horsky Awards at our semi-annual board meeting. Earl and Jay will be stepping down as Board President and Chair, respectively.

CCE's Board and guests gathered on Thursday June 4 for our semi-annual meeting at Venable LLC, hosted by Board Directors Gregg Braker and Brian Schwalb. It was a particularly fitting venue given our keynote speaker, newly-elected Attorney General Karl Racine, served for many years as Venable's Managing Partner.

On March 23rd, the Council for Court Excellence released its Equity in School Discipline Report at the historic Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. More than sixty participants gathered for the formal rollout event, representing local and national advocacy organizations, local government, foundations, private bar, local law schools and other community members.

Equity in School Discipline: An Examination of School Disciplinary Policies and Practices in the District of Columbia Public Education System and Recommendations for Reform is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive description and assessment of the disciplinary systems and policies in the District's public education system. The report contains recommendations that policy makers, education stakeholders, advocates and the community may consider for providing a fair school discipline process for all District youth.