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In a noteworthy stride towards advancing criminal justice reform, the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center has announced the appointment of Cam Ward, the Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, as the new Chair of its Advisory Board. Director Ward, who has garnered national acclaim for his pioneering efforts in criminal justice reform, is poised to guide the CSG Justice Center into its next chapter with a vision focused on enhancing public safety, streamlining the criminal justice system, and fostering meaningful rehabilitation programs.
Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm for the role, Director Ward remarked, “I am honored to work with this outstanding, bipartisan organization,” said Director Ward. “I believe our work is vital to the national effort to enhance public safety, promote best practices in the criminal justice system, and save taxpayer dollars through meaningful rehabilitation programs. I look forward to serving as chair of the CSG Justice Center Advisory Board.”
The CSG Justice Center, known for its role in policy and research expertise, operates as a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. It uniquely melds the attributes of a membership association, serving state officials across all three branches of government, with policy and research acumen to devise strategies aimed at bolstering public safety and fortifying communities.
In a complementary move, the Council has also appointed Middlesex County, MA, Sheriff Peter Koutoujian as the Advisory Board Vice Chair, further emphasizing its dedication to bipartisan leadership and policy innovation in the realm of justice reforms.
These leadership appointments arrive at a pivotal moment in the national dialogue on the efficacy of community safety measures and the equity of the justice system. Megan Quattlebaum, director of the CSG Justice Center, lauded the new leadership, stating, “Director Ward and Sheriff Koutoujian are incredible leaders who have shown what is possible when policymakers bring urgency and optimism to the table. The innovations they have made in their own states have become national models. We are very fortunate to have Director Ward and Sheriff Koutoujian as part of our team as we continue to support effective, evidence-based policies and practices. Both of these positions reflect the organization’s commitment to leadership that is bipartisan and well-versed in policy development, system oversight, and the advancement of justice reforms.”
As the CSG Justice Center embarks on this new era under the guidance of Director Ward and Sheriff Koutoujian, its commitment to fostering bipartisan leadership and advancing justice reforms remains unwavering. The center is poised to continue its vital work in shaping a criminal justice system that is not only effective and fair but also reflective of the best practices that safeguard the interests of the public and the rehabilitative needs of individuals within the system.
