Justice Speakers Institute

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Gene Cotter, Nebraska’s State Probation Administrator, discusses evidence-based probation, workload-based supervision models, treatment courts, technology, behavioral health challenges, workforce recruitment, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in community corrections. The post The Future of Community Supervision: A Conversation with Nebraska Probat...

Dr. Carmen Gomez joins Justice Speaks to discuss probation leadership, diversion programming, pretrial services, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in community supervision. The conversation explores how compassion, accountability, and individualized support can improve outcomes within the criminal legal system. The post Dr. Carmen Gomez on Probation Leadership and Community Supervisi...

Chief Justice Loretta Rush joins Justice Speaks to discuss problem-solving courts, juvenile justice reform, family recovery courts, and evidence-based approaches to substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges within the justice system. The post Problem-Solving Courts and Judicial Reform with Chief Justice Loretta Rush appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute .

This episode of Justice Speaks examines public defense in the U.S. Virgin Islands with Deputy Chief Public Defender Howard Phillips. Drawing on decades of courtroom experience, Phillips discusses the territory’s court structure, systemic challenges, speedy-trial concerns, and the realities of defending indigent clients in one of the nation’s most unique jurisdictions. The post Public Defense on th...

This Justice Speaks episode examines how treatment court data supports accountability, credibility, and growth nationwide. Dr. Kristen DeVall of the National Treatment Court Resource Center discusses research, national tools, and collaboration that help treatment courts move beyond anecdote and strengthen evidence-based decision making across all court models. The post Treatment Court Data and Nat...

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Justice Elizabeth Clement, President of the National Center for State Courts, examines judicial independence and the future of state courts. Drawing on her experience as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, she discusses court leadership, public trust, and preparing courts for emerging challenges. The post Judicial Independence and Court Leadership: A Con...

This episode explores advancing community supervision with Cobi Tittle, Director of Tarrant County CSCD and President of NAPE. She discusses leadership, data-driven decision-making, the evolving role of probation officers, technology’s promise, and the need to refocus probation on rehabilitation as a vital public-safety strategy. Sponsored by Reconnect. The post Advancing Community Supervision: A...

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Ms. Rachel Varela, Deputy Therapeutic Court Program Coordinator for the Alaska Court System, shares how Alaska’s therapeutic courts are expanding access to justice across vast and diverse communities. She discusses statewide innovations in training, technology, and collaboration that strengthen recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. The post Advancing Therapeutic...

In this episode, Justice Speaks features Phil Bowen, Director of the Centre for Justice Innovation. Bowen discusses evidence-based reforms transforming the British justice system, from diversion and smarter sentencing to procedural fairness and the Common Ground Justice Project, all aimed at building a fairer and more effective system. The post The Centre for Justice Innovation: Building a Smarter...

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Ms. Rachael Mark of the Oregon Judicial Department discusses how Oregon’s Treatment Courts are strengthening justice through data, training, and collaboration. She shares insights on funding models, innovation, and building sustainable systems that improve lives across the state. The post Building Better Treatment Courts in Oregon with Ms. Rachael Mark appeared f...

In this Justice Speaks episode, Amber Gregory, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Specialty Courts, discusses her leadership role in supporting judges, coordinators, and staff. She highlights the Resource Center’s training, peer reviews, statewide conference planning, and efforts to strengthen specialty courts through collaboration and evidence-based practices. The post Amber Gregory o...

In this Justice Speaks episode, Kansas State Treatment Court Coordinator Dawn Huddleston discusses her career journey, statewide program management, and the future of Kansas specialty courts. She highlights funding innovations, statewide training efforts, and the importance of collaboration and evidence-based practices to strengthen treatment courts and expand access to life-changing services. The...

This episode of Justice Speaks features Judge Alan Blankenship, who shares his journey from CPA to judge and his leadership in Missouri treatment courts. He discusses veterans’ treatment court outcomes, statewide funding, drug testing protocols, mentor court designation, and the future of evidence-based best practices in specialized courts. The post Missouri Treatment Courts with Judge Alan Blanke...

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Texas Treatment Court Coordinator Erin Morgan discusses her path into justice work, the creation of data standards for Texas courts, funding innovations like the Ruben Reyes Act, and plans for a statewide case management system, highlighting her pivotal role in advancing specialty courts in Texas. The post Insights from Texas Treatment Court Coordinator Erin Morg...

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Judge Nancy Butts reflects on nearly 30 years on the bench and her pioneering role in Pennsylvania’s treatment courts. From trauma-informed care to national justice reform, she offers powerful insights on leadership, compassion, and the future of probation and community supervision. The post Judge Nancy Butts on Treatment Courts, Reform, and Redemption appeared f...