Citizens for Effective Justice, (CEJ) was begun in early 2004 by Roberta McCloskey†, Rev. Hal Taylor and others concerned about problems with our criminal justice system particularly the overcrowding of our jail that came into focus with the death of James Borden in November 2003.  Over the course of five years our group has evolved from an ad hoc study group into an organization with a mission. 

CEJ’s mission is to advocate for effective implementation of therapeutic justice in our community.  We are guided by Article One, Section 18 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana: “The penal code shall be founded on principles of reformation, and not vindictive justice.”

We are working to shift public and official attitudes and institutional practice away from punishment to restorative and therapeutic justice. We are advocating against the criminalization of mental illness and addictions.  We are especially concerned about the future of the children of inmates who are seven times as likely to wind up in prison and jail as the general population.  We believe that the evidence is compelling that an emphasis on reformation not only will reduce crime and cut recidivism rates but will also reduce considerably the costs to Monroe County taxpayers. We have made presentations to the Mayor, City and County Councils, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Human Rights Commission and the Sheriff.  We have organized community-wide forums on these issues.  We have facilitated the startup of new programs and the revitalization of existing programs and written several articles in the local newspaper.  We have also participated in radio and television programs involving our group and local public officials.

 CEJ specific goals within the mission of therapeutic justice are to advocate to:

1. Improve conditions for inmates and staff by reducing overcrowding in the Monroe County Jail by diverting people where serious felonies are not an issue to other corrections programs or to treatment for those suffering from mental illness and addictions.  Our operational definition of overcrowding is any number in excess of the design capacity of the jail (126.)

2. Reduce recidivism in our community corrections system to levels comparable to the best systems in the country by preparing inmates to function more effectively outside upon release and provide sustained support, mentoring and education after release especially for addictions problems.  Create and strengthen programs for inmates and their families that will help them build self-determination skills.

3. Training and education for law enforcement, corrections, judges and others involved in the criminal justice system to understand and apply the principles of therapeutic justice including recognizing and effectively dealing with mental illness, addictions and related problems facing members of the community.

4. In the long term work to bring about a community corrections center that effectively implements the principles of therapeutic justice in Monroe County.

5. Join with groups with a similar mission across the nation to bring about change in criminal justice system policies and practices to bring our country in line with the much lower rate of incarceration of other democracies.