Digital Library

On May 29, 2025, Magdalena Tsiongas, CCE's Policy Manager, testified at the Budget Oversight Hearing for the D.C. Office of the Ombudsperson for Children before the Council of the District of Columbia.

In May 2025, CCE released "Urgent Need for New D.C. Jail" in partnership with the Office of the D.C. Auditor. The report reveals dangerous and deteriorating conditions at the D.C. Jail that continues to put the health and safety of residents and staff at serious risk. This report offers the most comprehensive review to date of facility operations, documenting a crisis marked by rising deaths, structural decay, staff shortages, and inadequate medical and behavioral health care. In addition to the problem of inadequate investment toward a replacement jail facility, this report points to the need to take a broader look at the current operations and management of, and resources for, the jail. The Department faces significant staffing challenges amid a growing jail population. Additionally, this report finds inconsistent compliance – and at times dangerous or deadly non-compliance – with key agency protocols and correctional best practices.‍ *No judicial member of CCE participated in the formulation or approval of this report. This report's findings and recommendations do not reflect the specific views of or endorsement by any judicial member of CCE.*

Executive Summary of May 2025 report, "Urgent Need for New D.C. Jail," developed in partnership with the Office of the D.C. Auditor. *No judicial member of CCE participated in the formulation or approval of this report. This report's findings and recommendations do not reflect the specific views of or endorsement by any judicial member of CCE.*

On May 14, 2025, Tracy Velazquez, CCE's Policy Director, testified at the Roundtable on B26-186, the Justice-Involved Youth in Community Act of 2025, before the Council of the District of Columbia.

On May 14, 2025, Katie McConville, CCE's Policy Counsel, testified at Public Hearing on Bill B26-185, the Fair Opportunities for Public Employees (HOPE) Amendment Act of 2025, before the Council of the District of Columbia.

On April 23, 2025, Katie McConville, CCE's Policy Counsel, testified at Public Hearing on Bill B26-188, the Pretrial Detention Amendment Act of 2025, before the Council of the District of Columbia.

The Workforce Solution is targeted at D.C. employers or business owners who are struggling to fill open positions or are looking to scale up and need talent. This valuable resource answers questions about the legal requirements, financial incentives, and protections available to an employer looking to expand their applicant pool through second chance hiring. Second chance hiring is the practice of hiring people with criminal records, including those who have experienced incarceration, otherwise known as “justice-impacted.”

On March 11, 2025, CCE's Open Horizon Fellow Crystal Nieves Murphy testified before the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety of the Council of the District of Columbia regarding practices and recommendations concerning how the MPD interacts with individuals with disabilities. 

On March 6, 2025, Magdalena Tsiongas, CCE's Policy Manager, testified before the Committee on Youth Affairs regarding issues surrounding detained youth awaiting placement at the Youth Services Center (YSC) and the continuity of healthcare for youth in custody. 

On February 27, 2025, Katie McConville, CCE's Policy Council, testified before D.C.'s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety to discuss CJCC's information sharing practices, meeting structures, and cross-agency collaboration facilitation efforts. 

On February 27, 2025, Tracy Velazquez, CCE's Policy Director, testified before the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety of the Council of the District of Columbia to present findings from an audit of two Department of Corrections facilities.

On February 27, 2025, Katie McConville, CCE's Policy Council, testified before the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety to recommend ways that CIC could provide even greater support to D.C.'s incarcerated people.