History, Mission & Vision
History
In response to a justice system study by the National Institute of Corrections, the Winona County Board of Commissioners established the Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in 2007. The CJCC is inclusive of all stakeholders in the Winona County criminal justice system, including policy-making representatives from the State, County, City, Private Bar and Community and has employed a collaborative approach in identifying and addressing justice-related issues to accomplish its vision.
Mission
To accomplish its vision, the Council will work systematically and cooperatively to review the elements of the criminal justice system and take an innovative approach to developing and evaluating proposals for change.
Vision
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council brings together the participating agencies in the criminal justice system with representatives of local governments and the public. The Council seeks to assure for Winona County a criminal justice system that is fair and just, that provides for the public's safety, offers real opportunities for individuals to change the direction of their lives through rehabilitation and makes the best use of the public's funds.
Main CJCC Council
The CJCC Council is a policy-making council which meets on a monthly basis to consider and make recommendations based upon the work of the Council’s committees and workgroups. The CJCC is the recognized forum in Winona County for justice system review, analysis, policy development and reform. The Council meets monthly, holds strategic planning sessions and accomplishes its work through five standing committees and their associated workgroups (open to anyone). See our CJCC Brochure for more information. Our bylaws can be seen here: Signed CJCC Bylaws.
CJCC Committees
The CJCC has five standing committees that meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues related to that committee’s charge. The work of each committee is reported to and acted upon (as needed) by the CJCC Council. Each standing committee has (or has had) workgroups, comprised of relevant stakeholders regarding that issue, who meet on an as-needed basis to recommend changes/improvements to the governing standing committee. The committees and committee charges are as follows:
- Community Outreach & Diversity: To educate the public about initiatives, programs and services supported by the CJCC; to build an atmosphere of respect and inclusion toward the criminal justice system regardless of culture or background; to identify community concerns that are related to the responsibilities of the CJCC and to prepare a detailed, proactive public relations plan to address those concerns.
- Courts: The Courts Committee will search for strategies and procedures that will enable the courts to function more effectively and at reasonable cost to the taxpayer while upholding due process and the rule of law.
- Early Intervention & Prevention (EIP): To research, evaluate and recommend community-based programming and services designed to prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system.
- Jail & Jail Alternatives: The Committee will recommend alternatives to incarceration for the criminal justice system to consider. The Committee will research, evaluate and recommend programming designed to facilitate change in the individual and thus prevent future involvement in the criminal justice process.
- Juvenile Justice: To encourage an effective juvenile justice system that promotes the well-being of youth while holding youth accountable for their actions and promoting public safety
Executive Director
Gwen Herbert
CJCC Council Members
- Brad Berzinski, Supt. of Winona Public Schools
- Becky Brandt, Winona/Fillmore County Court Administrator
- Tara Brown, Public Member
- Steve Buswell, Winona County Jail Administrator
- Hon. Dwight Luhmann, District Court Judge (3rd Dt.)
- Gwen Carman, Supt. of Lewiston-Altura School District
- Ron Ganrude, Winona County Sheriff
- Judy Gilow, Public Member (Vice-Chair)
- Justin Green, Public Member
- Carin Hyter, Winona Co. Treatment Court Coordinator
- Maureen Holte, Winona County Administrator
- Ben Klinger, City of Goodview Mayor
- Chris Meyer, Winona County Commissioner
- Rena Patterson, Dt. Supervisor, MN Dept. of Corrections
- Fatima Said, Project FINE & Public Member
- Dr. Eric Musungayi, Health and Human Services Director
- Karin Sonneman, Winona County Attorney (Chairperson)
- Rachel Stoll, Public Member
- Tom Williams, City of Winona Police Chief