Office of Justice Reform
The mission of the Office of Justice Reform is to marshal and coordinate resources within and beyond the county criminal justice system to enhance public safety, reduce incarceration, and advance fairness and equity.
A Message From the Director
Office of Justice Reform Director Colleen Clark-Bernhardt
Welcome, and thank you for visiting the Dane County Office of Justice Reform website.
Our office is committed to improving the justice system through strong partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and research-informed practices at both the local and national levels.
Central to this work is meaningful collaboration with community members and justice stakeholders.
Our efforts include supporting the Dane County Community Justice Council (CJC), coordinating the Dane County Community Court, partnering with researchers to advance effective justice practices, and incorporating the perspectives of local voices whose lived experience and on-the-ground insights help guide system improvements.
If you need additional information, please feel free to contact our office at 608-266-1425.
The Office of Justice Reform is committed to four areas of focus:
System Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships across justice, health, and community organizations.
A Catalyst for Innovation: Shaping future-focused solutions that deliver impact.
Data Driven Decisions: Addressing local needs, leading with research and accurate data.
Program Design and Development: Advancing initiatives grounded in data and guided by community voice, with a focus on equity and fairness.
History and Updates
The Dane County Office of Justice Reform (OJR) was established in July 2024 to amplify and advance local justice improvement efforts. The office works to improve the Dane County justice system by supporting the Community Justice Council, which includes elected stakeholders, community members with lived experience, and subject matter experts to uplift collaboration by breaking down barriers between systems. OJR also coordinates research, conducts and supports program evaluations, and develops policy recommednations aimed at improving outcomes for all residents of Dane County.
To further promoter collaboration, OJR continues to support and elevate local efforts and initiatives across the justice landscape. In 2025 to date, OJR contracted with WRTP|Big Step to coordinate trades education opportunities in and outside of the Dane County jail, convened a Sequential Intercept Mapping Workshop that brought together various justice stakeholders, and received national recognition through the 2025 Housing Peer Network to enhance housing options for justice involved individuals. In early 2026, OJR will launch the Dane County Community Court, a program aiming to reduce incarceration rates in Dane County by connecting justice-involved individuals with necessary social services.
The mission of the Dane County Office of Justice Reform is to marshal and coordinate resources within and beyond the county’s criminal justice system to improve public safety, advance data-driven justice, and reduce disparities across the system. These efforts depend on strong partnerships with essential stakeholders, including agency directors, local elected officials, researchers, and individuals with firsthand experience of the impacts of the criminal justice system.