During its monthly meeting, the Nashville NAACP hosted a discussion involving community leaders on how to improve the criminal justice system.
During the meeting, at the New Covenant Christian Church, Public Defender Dawn Deaner and a representative from the District Attorney’s office discussed how the system works, and the roles of prosecutors and public defenders.
“There is a national conversation going on about disparity in the criminal justice system, and I think the NAACP in Nashville is in tune with that,” said Dawn Deaner. “I’m glad they invited us to be a part of that conversation tonight.”
NAACP president, Ludye Wallace, said the goal of the presentations was to educate members on the criminal justice system and allow them to voice concerns and ask questions.
“A lot of people don’t understand the government can be a benefit, and these branches of government can work for you,” said Wallace.
“I want to see us play a greater role in stopping that pipeline of people going into the criminal justice system, period,” added Jackie Sims, Reentry chair for the NAACP.
Wallace said the NAACP will continue to look at other aspects of the criminal justice system in future membership meetings. The next meeting was scheduled for Apr. 28.
