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Our Racial Equity Work, Community Engagement, and More

Institutional racism permeates our society, including our criminal legal system. We know that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are jailed at much higher rates than others. These disparities devastate the lives of people impacted, their families, and their communities. During Black History Month, we take the opportunity to amplify some of CEPP's work addressing racial inequality across the country.

CEPP leads Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR), an initiative that seeks to achieve fair, just, effective pretrial practices, every day, nationwide. APPR works with criminal legal system professionals and their community partners to improve pretrial systems in ways that maximize pretrial outcomes and increase fairness and racial equity.

APPR is supported by Arnold Ventures and is a member of the National Partnership for Pretrial Justice.

Visit the APPR Website

Meaningful community engagement is one of the keys to eliminating our current system's disparities and achieving racial equity.

Community engagement recognizes that the people closest to problems are the ones who will have the solutions. When people with diverse backgrounds, expertise, and points of view work together, the outcomes tend to be more equitable and responsive to a broad spectrum of community needs.

Not all communities are the same, so engagement should be based on communities' unique needs, conditions, and cultures.

APPR is offering a public community engagement course in the coming months.

Learn More and Register at APPR

APPR Learning Sites Project

APPR is accepting applications for its Learning Sites project. Learning Sites receive technical assistance and online support to advance pretrial improvements. Selected sites must demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the fairness and efficiency of their pretrial process, addressing racial disparities, engaging community, and improving their pretrial outcomes. Resources are limited, and applications will be reviewed as received.

APPR will hold an informational webinar about the Learning Sites project on March 10, 2022, at 2 pm ET.

Check Out CEPP’s Pretrial Work

CEPP Is Leading Additional Pretrial Work Across the Country

In addition to APPR, CEPP is partnering with jurisdictions across the U.S. to facilitate culture change and improve pretrial outcomes. Most recently, CEPP started working with the state of Illinois and with Stanislaus County, California.

In Illinois, CEPP is helping the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts implement the groundbreaking Pretrial Fairness Act, which abolishes pretrial monetary bonds.

In Stanislaus County, CEPP is teaming up with the Superior Court and the probation department to assess their pretrial practices, identify improvements, and train stakeholders.