Sedgwick County...working for you

Criminal Justice System

Finding Jail Alternatives

Forming the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)

Sedgwick County is struggling to manage an ever-increasing demand for jail beds. Among the many reasons for an increase in jail population are new laws, more stringent sentencing guidelines, mandatory sentences, greater investment in law enforcement, effective prosecution and forensic science resources. Many of these changes were wrought by an increase in serious crime, more public outrage at crimes like DUI and domestic violence, and the crimes and fear caused by emerging gangs.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) was formed in 2004 to find efficiencies in the criminal justice system and develop and implement alternative programs designed to reduce recidivism, and provide adequate, well-run facilities.

Read the CJCC Master Plan

Read the bylaws of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

2013 Briefing Book

CJCC Members

There are 16 voting members of the CJCC who are members due to the position they hold. These members serve on the CJCC for as long as they occupy the position:

  • Chief Administrative Judge, 18 Judicial District (James Fleetwood)
  • Administrative Judge, Municipal Court of the City of Wichita (Jennifer Jones)
  • Sheriff of Sedgwick County (Robert Hinshaw)
  • Chief of Police, Wichita (Norman Williams)
  • District Attorney, 18th Judicial District (Nola Foulston)
  • Chief Public Defender of Sedgwick County Steve Osburn)
  • Chief Prosecutor for the City of Wichita (Mary McDonald)
  • Director of Sedgwick County Department of Corrections (Mark Masterson)
  • County Manager (William Buchanan)
  • Two members of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (Karl Peterjohn and Dave Unruh)
  • One member from the Wichita City Council (Lavonta Williams)
  • Director, Department of COMCARE of Sedgwick County (Marilyn Cook)
  • Director of Public Safety, Sedgwick County (Chad VonAhnen)
  • Criminal Presiding Judge of the 18th Judicial District (Judge Warren Wilbert)
  • One elected official from the Sedgwick County Association of Cities (Keith Thomas, Park City Council Member)

CJCC Meetings

The principal mission of the CJCC is to study the Sedgwick County criminal justice system, identify deficiencies and formulate policy, plans and programs for change when opportunities present themselves. In addition, its mission is to communicate and present planning, financial, operational, managerial, and programmatic recommendations to the agencies represented on the CJCC.

Meetings take place at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at 141 W. Elm in Wichita, second floor training room.

2013 Meetings:

2012 Meetings: