State College, PA — On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) concluded its 2026 Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) Conference in State College. The two-day event brought together more than 500 criminal justice and behavioral health professionals from across the Commonwealth to share strategies, strengthen partnerships, and highlight innovative local approaches to improving public safety.
"For nearly two decades, the CJAB Conference has brought together dedicated professionals working to make our Commonwealth a safer, more just place,” said PCCD Executive Director Kirsten Kenyon. “This year’s event highlighted the ways people and systems are working hand in hand to improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals and tackle some of our most pressing public safety challenges.”
Pennsylvania’s 67 county-level CJABs play a key role in developing local plans, advancing effective practices, and fostering cross-system solutions. Membership aligns with PCCD’s recently updated CJAB Minimum Operating Standards and typically include representatives from courts, corrections, law enforcement, behavioral health, victims’ services, community-based organizations, health and human services, and other key partners. PCCD supports CJABs through technical assistance from CJAB Specialists and through funding for CJAB-driven local initiatives.
This year's conference, themed "Driving Change Together," focused on strengthening partnerships across justice and behavioral health systems to address long-standing and emerging public safety issues. Plenary and breakout sessions covered behavioral health and the justice system, gun violence reduction, and reentry - three core areas of PCCD’s work - and featured a diverse lineup of presenters, practitioners, and subject-matter experts.
The event also called attention to new statewide initiatives aimed at improving community safety, such as PCCD’s newly launched Gun Violence Data and Resources Hub at pa.gov/gunviolence, offering accessible statewide and local data, research, and tools to support evidence-based violence reduction efforts. On Wednesday, PCCD and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General also announced a new reentry partnership that will operate as a subcommittee under PCCD’s Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, with the goal of improving coordination across state and local systems and supporting a statewide reentry strategic planning process launching later this spring.
Participants also received updates on statewide crime trends, data, and research informing statewide and local public safety efforts. Over the past three years, under the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s leadership, Pennsylvania has experienced significant reductions in violent crime, including a 35 percent decrease in homicides statewide.
On Wednesday, PCCD Executive Director Kenyon also presented three distinguished awards recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation in criminal justice:
Dauphin County District Attorney and CJAB Chair Fran Chardo, Lead CJAB System Specialist Marisa Miller, and Director of Juvenile Probation and CJAB Vice-Chair John Bey
CJAB Best Practices Award
Dauphin County
Created in partnership with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), the CJAB Best Practices Award recognizes a county that exemplifies innovative collaboration in support of public safety. Dauphin County was named the 2026 recipient for their efforts to improve effectiveness and share resources and data across criminal justice and community partners, including assisting other CJABs in revitalizing and developing their own best practices.
Honorable Linda K.M. Ludgate Excellence in CJAB Leadership Award
Honorable Shawn Meyers, President Judge of the 39th Judicial District
Named in honor of the late Judge Ludgate, a trailblazer in CJAB development, this award celebrates leadership that drives systemic improvement. The Honorable Shawn Meyers, President Judge of the 39th Judicial District, serving Franklin and Fulton counties, was recognized for his role as Chair of the Franklin County CJAB, where he has advanced strategic planning and behavioral health initiatives within his county.
PCCD Executive Director Kirsten Kenyon, the Honorable President Judge Shawn Meyers, and PCCD Criminal Justice Advisory Committee Chair Jim Turner
PCCD Executive Director Kirsten Kenyon, the Honorable Judge John P. Capuzzi, and PCCD Mental Health and Justice Advisory Committee Chair Jennifer Lopez-Cerrato
Honorable John A. Zottola Mental Health and Justice Award
Honorable John P. Capuzzi, Retired Judge, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas
Established in 2022 to honor the legacy of Judge John A. Zottola, this award celebrates a commitment to working with individuals with mental health needs in the justice system. Retired Judge John P. Capuzzi was selected as this year’s award recipient for his continued unwavering commitment to supporting justice involved individuals with mental health issues through Delaware County’s Mental Health Treatment Court and support for other specialized treatment courts in the county.
The 2026 CJAB Conference was hosted by PCCD in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and CCAP.
Photos from the CJAB conference and awards ceremony are available on PCCD’s Flickr.