Indianapolis Selected for Justice System Policy Examination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2018

 Contact:
Denise Herd, President
Herd Strategies
v:  317-796-0514
e:  denise@herdstrategies.com

 
INDIANAPOLIS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES POLICY ACADEMY                        City leaders to begin preparations for creating tangible plans to reduce jail populations

INDIANAPOLIS - The National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of State Legislatures (NCSL) has selected Indianapolis and Marion County to participate in the Intergovernmental Policy Academy: Young Adults and the Justice System. The purpose of the academy is to examine state and local policies and identify where state and local policy alignment is needed in order to reduce the overrepresentation in jails of young adults particularly individuals of color and with mental health or substance abuse issues. 

Agencies involved include The City of Indianapolis, Office of the Mayor; Indianapolis City County Council; Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD); and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Additional agencies involved with providing input and support include the Marion County Reentry Coalition and the Office of Public Health and Safety.

 “When I was made aware of this opportunity I knew Indianapolis had to apply,” said Indianapolis City-County Councillor Maggie A. Lewis, District 10.  “As we are developing a new criminal justice system it is imperative we consider the mental health and addiction challenges facing those who may find themselves arrested or detained.” “I am looking forward to working alongside all of the stakeholders to develop a justice system that emphasizes reform and reduces recidivism, but more importantly tackles why young adults find themselves trapped in our criminal justice system in the first place.”

"Participating in the Intergovernmental Policy Academy enables Indianapolis to tap into national best practices while tackling public safety challenges, and I thank Councillor Lewis for spearheading our city’s inclusion," said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. "This initiative works hand-in-hand with our holistic criminal justice reform effort, supporting our work to break the cycle of crime and helping individuals find a path toward a brighter future." 

"This opportunity to learn from other communities and work together across agencies will enable us to develop a focus on young adults and will support the impact of the Indianapolis Violence Reduction Initiative,” said Indianapolis Police Chief Bryan Roach.

The first session will convene this summer in San Francisco, Calif.  The meeting will provide an opportunity for cities, counties, and states to discuss policy alignment and create a tangible plan to reduce young adult populations in jails collaboratively.  The NLC, NACo, and NCSL will provide 12 months of long-distance technical assistance to participating jurisdictions, offer opportunities to reconvene virtually and in person, and will host a second in-person meeting for the city-county-state teams in June 2019.
 

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