The CSG/ERC Criminal Justice Program assists state policy makers across all levels of state government. The program works in ERC member jurisdictions to: evaluate, develop and promote innovative state and regional criminal justice policy; facilitate the sharing of expertise and knowledge; evaluate new programs and trends; and works to improve the effectiveness of the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems. Senator Richard Sears, VT, Chair CSG/ERC Criminal Justice Advisory Board Representative Toni Walker, CT, First Vice-Chair CSG/ERC Criminal Justice Advisory Board Features Press Releases New Guide Helps Policymakers and Practitioners Make Research-Driven Decisions on Responding to People with Mental Illnesses within Community Corrections February 27, 2009 - U.S. House of Representatives Approves Over $133 Million for Prisoner Reentry in FY 2009, including $25 Million for the Second Chance Act 1/22/08 - CSG Justice Center provides Michigan policymakers with review of crime and corrections data 1/8/08 - CSG-Justice Center releases comprehensive new resource on mental health courts 12/18/08 - CSG Justice Center releases first-of-its-kind reentry guide for states, faith-based and community organizations 11/10/08 - New Resource: Strategies for Law Enforcement Training on Responding to People with Mental Illnesses 10/23/08 - New Toolkit on Law Enforcement Role in Prisoner Reentry: Four Agencies Selected as "Learning Sites" with Justice Department Grant 9/29/08 - Congress Passes the Reauthorization of Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act 9/15/08 - CSG Justice Center Announces Selection of Four Chief Justices for Criminal Justice/Mental Health Initiative 9/9/08 - CSG Justice Center Releases First-Ever Guide on the Rights of Individuals Victimized by People with Mental Illnesses 9/9/08 - CSG Justice Center Releases Unprecedented Guidelines for Mental Health Courts to Improve Responses to Crime Victims' Needs 9/2/08 - CSG Justice Center Releases Essential Elements of a Specialized Law Enforcement Program on Responding to People with Mental Illnesses 8/5/08 - CSG Justice Center Releases Innovative Web-Based Tool to Help State and Local Officials Improve Prisoner/Inmate Reentry 7/24/08 - Justice Center Launches Web-Based Version of Repaying Debts Report, Works with States to Translate Recommendations into Policy and Practice To learn more about our criminal justice work, visit http://justicecenter.csg.org. Features are provided for the information of CSG-ERC members and other interested parties, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council of State Governments or the Eastern Regional Conference.