Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) (Colorado)
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"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Denver, CO
Founded: 1998
Mission: CCJRC's mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado.
Tags:
colorado, mass incarceration, policy reform, halting prison expansion, ending use of private, for-profit prisons, resource provider, public education, research, policy analysis, community organizing, coalition building, litigation, legislative campaigns
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
Christine Donner.
Christie Donner is CCJRC's Executive Director and founder. She has over fifteen years of experience working in criminal justice reform advocacy, community organizing, policy research, and lobbying. Christie co-authoredParenting from Prison: A Resource Guide for Incarcerated Parents in Colorado. She is also the co-author of CCJRC's publication Getting On After Getting Out: A Re-Entry Guide for Colorado. She has a bachelor's degree…
See full bio.
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
n/a
Total Revenue:
$263,053
From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
1212 Mariposa St. #6
Denver, CO 80204, USA
Story:
Since our founding, CCJRC has:- Partnered with allies to oppose prison/jail expansions in Canon City, Pueblo, Lamar, Denver, Ft. Collins and Ault. The prison/jail projects were defeated in Pueblo, Lamar, Ft. Collins and Ault.
- Built a diverse, statewide coalition of over 100 endorsing organizations and faith communities.
- Passed three criminal justice reform bills at the state legislature on drug policy and parole reform. We have also unsuccessfully supported legislation that would have banned the importation of prisoners from out of state into private prisons in Colorado. At the legislature, CCJRC also opposed (unsuccessfully) the deregulation of the inmate phone system, the conversion of a VA medical center to a state prison and the use of Certificates of Participation to fund prison construction.
- Developed a credible reputation among bi-partisan legislators and have conducted numerous briefings at the legislature on the need for sentencing and parole reform and the problems with private prisons.
Expert Reviews of Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) (Colorado)
Evidence of Impact Summary:
The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition has impacted the criminal justice community by creating a space for dialogue on the topic, by shaping policy reform, and providing representation in important court cases.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
Experts have noted that CCJRC's biggest strengths are its effective and committed leadership team and staff members.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
According to experts, CCJRC should focus more on raising funds to prevent staff from being overstretched. By improving their internal organization, they could be more effective in their work.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Successful Policy Reform |
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They have helped pass major sentencing reform and prison downsizing policies over the past few years | ||
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Their recent state-level sentencing reforms have been passed. | ||
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They have a unique ability to earn media attention and shape policy reform. | ||
Knowledgeable Leader in the Field |
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CCJRC has had a long history of advocating for sensible criminal justice reform in Colorado. They have a deep understanding of the political arena and have steadily built a reputation within the criminal justice advocacy community, state public safety agencies, and the legislature. This is a very high impact organization in Colorado and one that should be studied as a model for other statewide criminal justice advocacy coalitions from around the country. | ||
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They are highly effective in state politics and bear knowledgeable about the technical reforms needed. | ||
Increasing Dialogue |
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CCJRC has celebrated so much success in the Colorado legislature. They have made an amazing impact on the public dialogue of criminal justice reform. They have also had tremendous impact on individuals working through re-entry. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Great Staff and Leadership |
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Smart, strategic, and strong leadership | ||
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Christie Donner provides point-person leadership for CCJRC, but leadership at the organization extends to the board and staff. Their second strongest feature is a staff willing to do what it takes to make things happen. They share a camaraderie that would be the envy of most non-profits and a dogged focus on their organizational objectives and strategy. | ||
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Their staff comes from a passionate place, and they understand the issues on a personal level. For such a small staff they are so effective. | ||
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The leadership and staff have a high commitment to the issues. | ||
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They have a great leadership that is highly efficient with little funding. | ||
Strong Internal Organization |
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Christie Donner provides excellent leadership. The organization is also strong because of the good infrastructure and local support. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Greater Focus on Internal Operations and Long-Term Growth |
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Despite their high-impact profile the operational depth of the organization is thin. All staff are engaged in some committee or bill movement. This leaves scant attention for the day-to-day operational tasks that must continue for any non-profit or means evening and weekend work for staff that has already put in a full days/weeks work. The staff of CCJRC now also participate actively in the Governor's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, further taxing staff resources. They need more funding for a permanent administrative staff person whose function is to manage the office and organizational operations. A marketing and media messaging analysis is in order for the organization. It is not getting the broad public attention it deserves for its work. Fund development is also an issue and another task that falls on the shoulders of busy staff members. Grant development has been organic and has provided just enough to maintain operations. However, assistance in this area would greatly relieve the burden already felt by staff and may help identify new sources of funding. Despite highly successful/ high profile work within the state, CCJRC has not gotten the support of major foundations it deserves. | ||
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It needs more capacity. | ||
More Collaboration |
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They could improve by finding more intentional ways to connect with groups that do grassroots organizing in order to bring these important issues to the streets. | ||
Leadership
Christine Donner
Co-Director
Co-Director
From the Nonprofit
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