This episode of Justice Speaks highlights a important initiative by the United States Department of Justice, specifically through the Office of Justice Programs, to reduce crime. In this episode, we interview Judge Karen Friedman (Ret.), Director of Criminal Justice Innovation, Development, and Engagement for the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

Justice Speaks is continuing a series of interviews regarding individuals who are impacting the Justice System, specifically in this case, for those who are under supervision in the form of pretrial services. In this episode we interview Wendy Venvertloh, Executive Director of National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

Director Venvertloh begins by sharing her background, which is deeply rooted in community corrections. Originally planning to pursue a PhD in criminal justice, she quickly found her passion working in the field. She reflects on her experiences at the Adams County, Illinois Probation Department, before transitioning to a state-level role in Illinois as the pretrial administrator for the administrative office of the courts. Her involvement in the creation of the Statewide Pretrial Office, and later her appointment as its deputy director, solidified her position as a leader in the field.

She also highlights the history and mission of NAPSA, a national organization with a 51-year legacy of providing education and technical assistance to professionals in pretrial services. Director Venvertloh shares recent milestones for NAPSA, including record-breaking attendance at its annual confe

This episode of "Justice Speaks" continues the series of interviews with individuals who impact the Justice System. In this episode, we interview Janel McFeat, the Executive Director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, who has been instrumental in expanding the reentry movement. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.