Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Advisory Council

Disenfranchising people with criminal convictions provides no legitimate law enforcement purpose. In fact, restoring voting rights is sound policy from a law enforcement perspective. A critical element of protecting public safety is reducing recidivism through successful reentry of former offenders into their communities. Disenfranchising this population hinders reintegration back into society because it fosters second-class citizenship, while restoring voting rights can help promote civic engagement and pro-social behaviors helpful to the reentry process.


On June 8, 2007 the Brennan Center held a groundbreaking convening of law enforcement and criminal justice leaders from across the country to discuss the relationship between voting, successful reintegration, and public safety. After the day-long program, many of the convening participants agreed to come together and join the Brennan Center's campaign to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions.

We have harnessed the energy and enthusiasm created by the convening in a newly formed Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Advisory Council, which will continue work closely with the Brennan Center on both a local and national level. 

Current members of the Brennan Center for Justice Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Advisory Council:

 
In October 2007, Advisory Council members helped pass an American Probation and Parole Association resolution in favor of restoring voting rights to people upon release from prison. 

In April 2008, Advisory Council members helped pass an Association of Paroling Authorities International resolution that endorsed voting rights restoration and encouraged paroling authorities to participate in the passage and implementation of laws that engage former offenders in the civic discourse.

In June 2008, the National Black Police Association passed a resolution in favor of the automatic restoration of voting rights upon release from prison.