Council for Court Excellence

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Today’s #FindingsFriday highlights Chapter 6 of our report, Urgent Need for a New D.C. Jail. This section explores barriers to visitation for residents and their families, especially issues related to technology, accessibility, connection, and fees.
Read more: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9
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Everyone makes mistakes. But should mistakes define us?

At the SCHA’s “Talent Beyond Barriers” event this past April, Gabi Smith, Program Director for Career Shop DC, implores listeners to see returning residents not for what they did, but for who they are: hard-working people who deserve a chance.

Home The Second Chance Hiring Alliance empowers D.C.-area employers to hire justice-impacted job seekers by providing real resources, networks, and support. The Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) is convened by the Council for Court Excellence and led by a Core Group of

Curious how second chance hiring benefits your business and community? Join the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, D.C.’s network of business leaders, employment services, and advocates empowering employers to create more opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. (3/3) https://scha-dc.org/

Second Chance Hiring is a Win for D.C.'s Black Businesses — Learn How to Get Started Discover how Second Chance Hiring can expand opportunities for Black workers and communities in the D.C. area. Learn about resources and upcoming events.

Second chance hiring offers a solution, as detailed by GWBCC's Aisha Bond in her excellent op-ed for the Washington Informer (2/3): www.washingtoninform...

Each year, thousands of D.C. residents, disproportionately Black, return from prison or jail seeking employment, but often encounter outdated hiring practices that discriminate against individuals with criminal records. (1/3)

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Welcome to Part 2 of Chapter 5 from our report on the D.C. Jail! We cover the D.C. Department of Corrections’ handling of substance use disorders, gender-specific healthcare, prescriptions, and medical appointment attendance. #FindingsFriday Read more: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9


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Today, On National Intern Day, let’s meet the future leaders bringing about a more equitable and fair judicial system! (2/2)

From helping management with day-to-day organization to supporting project research and community outreach efforts, these incredible students do a whole lot behind the scenes here at CCE.

Who are they? Our interns! And they’re the best interns out there. (1/2)

To learn more, see our full report here: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9
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Chapter 5 of our recent report on the conditions of the D.C. Jail details the facilities’ healthcare policies and administration. In this #FindingsFriday, we cover behavioral health. To learn more, see our full report here: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9
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DEADLINE UPCOMING📢 Calling all graduate and law students — our Policy Internship applications are closing on August 1st! For students who are not receiving course credit or other funding, CCE will provide a stipend.

Find more info about our #PolicyInternship and #ApplyNow: ow.ly/ZqsQ50WsGYy

Join Neighbors for Justice on July 27 for a fun afternoon cookout at Watkins Regional Park 🔆

The Reentry Cookout is an opportunity for reentry organizations, credible messengers, returning citizens, and supporters to connect in a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere.

RSVP to contacts listed below ⬇️

We’re honored to welcome Jelahn Stewart as the new CCE Board of Directors Chair.

With an impressive career in ethics and compliance leadership, Jelahn currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at Leidos.

Congratulations, Jelahn!

Reducing violence in the facility, including intra-resident, excessive use of force, and resident-on-staff violence, is a complex and important issue that calls for a multi-faceted approach. (4/4)

New Report on Jail Confirms Unsafe Conditions and Rising Deaths, Calls for Immediate Action CCE, in partnership with the Office of the D.C. Auditor, released

These first-hand accounts are corroborated by documents provided by DOC for this audit and to the D.C. Council. See our report from page 54 to read these accounts in detail. (3/4) www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/2...

This chapter features reports by staff, residents and their family members, and professionals working in the jail of incidents including intra-resident assaults, contraband weapons, sexual violence, staff uses of force, and assaults on staff during the audit period. (2/4)

Today’s #FindingsFriday covers Chapter 4: Violence and Use of Force in the recent report “Urgent Need for New D.C. Jail."

CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive topics are discussed in the accompanying infographics. Please view at your own discretion. (1/4)

Congratulations to CCE’s new Officers, Executive Committee members, and the firms, businesses, and individuals joining our Board of Directors! We're excited for your leadership, expertise, and input for the upcoming 2025-2026 term.

The Access to Justice Initiative is at risk. Without full funding for this important program, thousands of District residents will go without the legal help they need.

Learn how you can help! Join this informative webinar happening Thursday, July 10, 3-4 PM.

RSVP: steptoe.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

While facing extreme temps, having functional, reliable AC and water are a must!

For District tenants facing outages or building issues that impact safety and health, the Office of the Attorney General is offering mediation between mutually willing tenants and landlords.

OAG Hotline: (202)442-9828

What exactly is “second chance hiring” and how does it benefit your business?

This SCHA webinar answers those questions and introduces its new publication “The Workforce Solution: D.C. Employer’s FAQ for Second Chance Hiring.” Here's a sneak peek!

Download the FAQ: scha-dc.org/theworkforce...

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 📢
Justice education undergraduates, policy graduates, and law students — contribute to work that directly impacts the D.C. community.

CCE is accepting applications for our Fall 2025 internships through August 1. Submit early!
jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CouncilForCo...

Queer joy and liberation should be celebrated even after the end of #PrideMonth, and the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ people should receive equal attention all year round! (5/5)

Legal Services Access affirming legal services at Whitman-Walker in DC. We help with insurance appeals, discrimination, immigration, disability claims, and legal documents.

For support in D.C., look into these orgs:
🏳️‍🌈 Whitman-Walker www.whitman-walker.org/health-servi... 
🏳️‍🌈 GLAA (Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance) D.C. www.instagram.com/glaadc 
🏳️‍🌈 The DC Center thedccenter.org   
🏳️‍🌈  SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League) smyal.org 

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Read the latest developments and compelling firsthand narratives from queer individuals impacted by the justice system from The Marshall Project (3/5) themarshallproject.org

Taking a stand against this order affirms the constitutional rights of over 2,000 incarcerated individuals who have self-identified as transgender and has restored access to necessary medical treatment and accommodations for the 600 individuals who have been prescribed hormone therapy. (2/5)

Judge Stops Federal Prisons From Enforcing Trump’s Trans Care Ban, For Now The district judge ordered the prison system to continue providing hormone therapy to transgender people as needed, while a lawsuit proceeds.

Great news to end #PrideMonth: In a crucial move, a D.C. federal judge temporarily halted a presidential executive order aiming to ban gender-affirming care and social accommodations for transgender federal prisoners, bringing hope to D.C. residents serving in federal prisons across the U.S. (1/5)