Loretta Lynch to Chair CCJ Women’s Justice Commission to Address Unique Challenges Women Face in the Criminal Justice System

Litigation partner Loretta Lynch will chair the Council on Criminal Justice’s newly launched Women’s Justice Commission, a national, nonpartisan panel that will document and raise awareness of the distinctive needs of women in the justice system and build consensus for evidence-based reforms that enhance safety, health and justice. Loretta will be joined by First Lady of Oklahoma Sarah Stitt, who will serve as senior adviser on the project, and 15 other bipartisan leaders as commission members. On July 9, the commission held its inaugural meeting in New York City and released two comprehensive reports to establish a foundation for its work, “Women’s Justice: A Preliminary Assessment of Women in the Criminal Justice System” and “Women’s Justice: By the Numbers.”

“The unique challenges faced by women moving through our criminal justice system all too often go unseen and unheard,” says Loretta. “We can and must do better to reduce the flow of women into the justice system, help them maintain relationships with children and families during incarceration, and provide the support they need to thrive after release.”

» more information on the commission
» read the preliminary assessment report
» read Women’s Justice: By the Numbers