Bridging Divides to Advance Justice: A “Call to Conscience” for Criminology

• Published date: 01 May 2021
• Date: 01 May 2021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/10439862211002310
• Subject Matter: Editorial Introduction

https://doi.org/10.1177/10439862211002310

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

2021, Vol. 37(2) 152 –165

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/10439862211002310

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Editorial Introduction

Bridging Divides to

Advance Justice: A “Call to

Conscience” for Criminology

Amanda Burgess-Proctor1 and Sheetal Ranjan2

It is with great enthusiasm that we present this themed issue of the Journal of

Contemporary Criminal Justice highlighting strategies for connecting research, pol-

icy, and advocacy to advance justice. The goal of this issue is to share information that

can serve as a reference for academics looking to engage more with policy work and

practice, and for policymakers and practitioners looking to engage more with research.

In this introductory essay, we first describe how we arrived at the idea for our themed

issue and provide a brief description of each article. We then present additional insights

from individuals who use their unique perspectives and areas of expertise to discuss

what they view as the most pressing contemporary criminal justice issues in 2021 and

beyond. Finally, we conclude by emphasizing the urgent need for others to engage in

the type of work discussed in the pages that follow.

Preparing This Themed Issue

We approached the task of co-editing this issue as colleagues and friends whose indi-

vidual professional trajectories, while distinct, have progressed somewhat in parallel.

Prior to entering her doctoral program, Amanda worked full-time in court and shelter

settings doing direct service work with victims of domestic violence. Sheetal, a first-

generation immigrant to the United States, has a family history of policy advocacy and

not-for-profit work. We also bring to bear our individual experiences as faculty mem-

bers who have served on various commissions and advisory groups in our respective

states. Amanda was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to chair the

Criminal Justice Policy Commission, a bipartisan group of stakeholders from around

the state tasked with analyzing sentencing and corrections data, preparing reports, and

making policy recommendations to the Michigan legislature. She also is a graduate of

1Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

2William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA

Corresponding Author:

Amanda Burgess-Proctor, Oakland University, 525 Varner Hall, 371 Varner Dr., Rochester, MI 48309, USA.

Email: burgessp@oakland.edu

1002310CCJXXX10.1177/10439862211002310Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeBurgess-Proctor and Ranjan

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