The Task Force on Race and the Criminal Justice System is a Washington state-wide initiative concerned about the role of racial bias and barriers in the criminal justice system in the State of Washington. It is made up of members of all three law schools, including Gonzaga University School of Law, as well as prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, associations, and concerned citizens.
The goal is to study the institutional and structural arrangements which continue to disproportionately impact racial minorities at all levels of our criminal justice system, from arrest, to prosecution, to sentencing. In addition, the Task Force is committed to advancing the discussion of this important topic through education and recommendations for reform.
The 2012 Conference is a collaboration with the 3rd International Conference on Hate Studies. Get full information about the Pursuit of Justice Conference, scheduled for April 18-20, 2013.
2010 Conference: Race and Criminal Justice In The West hosted over 150 participants, and featured The Honorable Barbara Madsen, Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court as keynote speaker.
2010 Seattle Times Op/Ed “Ensuring the promise of ‘Equal Justice Under Law’” by George Critchlow, Mark Niles, and Kellye Y. Testy.
2011 Preliminary Report on Race and Washington’s Criminal Justice System (PDF).
Race in the Criminal Justice System Research Guide, hosted by University of Washington Gallagher Law Library.
