SLC - Serving the South

Research / Corrections & Public Safety

Policy Analysis | September 2020

Spread of COVID-19 within Regions of the United States

Mikko Lindberg and Roger Moore

Last updated: September 10, 2020 (next update: September 24, 2020)

Disclaimer: The research presented here draws upon statistics used by a wide range of governmental and media agencies. Many concerns have been raised about the over-reporting and under-reporting of positive cases of COVID-19 and deaths attributed to COVID-19. This SLC Policy Analysis does not address these concerns and utilizes only the numbers that are known.

A multitude of governmental, private and nonprofit research entities are closely monitoring the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)^1,2 – across the United States on city, county, state and national levels. However, until recently, a limited amount of research existed for how the virus has circulated on a regional basis.³

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Webinar | July 2020

Improving Outcomes for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Roger Moore

SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee Virtual Program

Presiding Officer: Senator Katrina Shealy, South Carolina; Chair, SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee

More than 30,000 youth are incarcerated in the United States each year, while another 350,000 are placed on probation. As youth in the juvenile justice system age, it is important for policymakers to ensure this population has the skills and knowledge necessary for future success. Unfortunately, youth in the justice system are more likely to face an array of obstacles compared to their peers, including a lack of math and reading proficiency; more frequent suspensions and expulsions from school; special education needs; and fewer employability skills. This program provides an overview of the national landscape related to juvenile justice improvement during the past decade, focusing on the shift from incarceration to community-based supervision and services, and provides effective measures that improve outcomes while balancing public safety.

Presentation:

Josh Weber, Deputy Division Director, Corrections and Reentry, The Council of State Governments Justice Center, Washington, D.C.

Other | December 2019

Issues to Watch - 2020

Anne Roberts Brody, Cody Allen and Roger Moore

As the 2020 legislative cycle approaches, legislators across the South are preparing and pre-filing legislation to address emerging and relevant policy issues in their states. With its regional focus, the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) is uniquely positioned to identify and research current and emerging policy issues and trends. This report was prepared by Anne Roberts Brody, policy and program manager, and Roger Moore and Cody Allen, policy analysts, and provides a sampling of issues and trends that are anticipated to emerge during the 2020 legislative term. State actions referenced in this report may represent appropriate policy options for Southern lawmakers to consider and, as such, may include bills or policies originating outside the SLC region.

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SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee

2020-2021
Chair

Senator
Katrina Shealy
South Carolina

2020-2021
Vice Chair

Representative
Fredrick J. Love
Arkansas

Immediate
Past Chair

(former) Senator
Doug Overbey
Tennessee

Committee
Liaison

Roger Moore
Policy Analyst

Ensuring the public’s general welfare and protection are among states’ most pressing concerns, with both areas constituting considerable shares of state budgets. The SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee has a broad agenda, which takes into account the challenges states face in the areas of human services and corrections, as well as policies and programs that address them. The committee frequently undertakes assessments of pressing health issues including the national opioid crisis, organ donations and long-term care, as well as various corrections issues such as aging inmate populations, female offenders and mental health parity in prisons.