USC Annenberg convenes leaders and journalists for candid examination of criminal justice system in Los Angeles

The Institute for Justice and Journalism at the USC Annenberg School presents a unique opportunity for civic leaders, policy makers, criminal justice practitioners, judges, scholars, advocates and community service providers to examine the successes and failures of Los Angeles’ criminal justice system and share ideas for a unified, collaborative approach. The conference will also explore ways for journalists to provide better coverage of the criminal justice system.

The conference will be held Jan. 22-24 at the USC Davidson Conference Center, located at 3415 S. Figueroa Street. For more information or to register, visit http://www.justicejournalism.org/. There is no registration fee.

Speakers/panelists (partial list):

Tuesday, January 22:
John Van de Kamp, former California Attorney General. Chair, California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice
Connie Rice, director, The Advancement Project
William Bratton, chief, Los Angeles Police Department
Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff
Merrick Bobb, special counsel to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors
Melinda Bird, senior counsel, ACLU of Southern California
Blair Taylor, president, Los Angeles Urban League

Wednesday, January 23
Tom Hayden, author and former state legislator
Katherine Jett, Undersecretary of Programs, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Jeanne Woodford, former director, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Michael P. Judge, chief public defender, Los Angeles County

Thursday, January 24
Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County District Attorney
Gloria Romero, California Senate Majority Leader
Laurie Levenson, law professor and director, Center for Ethical Advocacy, Loyola Law School
Jack Weiss, member, Los Angeles City Council
Jim Newton, editorial page editor, Los Angeles Times
Marvin Southard, director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health