Acknowledgments
The report of the Task Force on Long Sentences is the product of its members, who graciously shared their time and expertise. The Task Force is grateful for the support of the following organizations and individuals who contributed to this project:
Gerald Gaes, Julia Laskorunsky, Kevin Reitz, and colleagues at the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Minnesota Law School for their expertise, partnership, and research publications, which informed the Task Force’s analysis and deliberations.
Roger Przybylski, who contributed to research that informed this report, and provided feedback on the recommendations.
Michael Tonry for his early conversations with Task Force staff on the modern history of long sentences.
Lila Kazemian, who provided an analysis of how long sentences in the U.S. compare to those in other nations.
Doug Berman and Steve Channeson for their help examining the complex dynamics of judicial sentencing.
Brian Johnson for his research on sentencing policy and practice.
Alanah Odoms for her contributions to the Task Force’s analysis of law and policy.
Alicia Boccellari for helping the Task Force incorporate lessons learned from the science of trauma.
Avi Bhati for lending his expertise, especially through his analysis of public safety and incarceration in Illinois.
Kathy Saltmarsh and Mark Powers for helping the Task Force access and analyze data from Illinois Department of Corrections.
Susan Howley for her thoughtful work on the listening sessions brief, which was a fundamental piece for the final report.
Marisa Arrona for her help organizing and administering the Spanish-language listening sessions with victims and survivors and people who have served long sentences.
Former CCJ staff members Charlotte Bailey and Nancy La Vigne for their invaluable contributions to this report.
CCJ staff members John Maki, Adam Gelb, Andrew Page, Abby Walsh, Liza Bayless, Stephanie Kennedy, Aaron Rosenthal, Ernesto Lopez, Cameryn Farrow, Rachel Yen, Brian Edsall, and Jenifer Warren, who provided support throughout the Task Force process.
Support for the Task Force on Long Sentences comes from Arnold Ventures, the Ford Foundation, Southern Company Foundation, and Stand Together Trust, as well as #StartSmall, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and other CCJ general operating contributors.