After almost ten years leading the Justice Policy Institute (JPI), Marc Schindler will be stepping down as Executive Director, effective March 31, 2023. JPI’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Paul Ashton, who has served in multiple positions during his 12-year tenure at JPI, most recently as Director of Finance and Organizational Impact, will be serving as Interim Executive Director following Marc’s departure and during the transition.
The Board and Staff are deeply grateful to Marc for his leadership and outstanding work with JPI and wish him well as he departs to take a leadership position in recently-elected Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s administration. Marc will be serving as Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff for Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), supporting reforms led by newly-appointed Secretary of DJS and JPI founder Vinny Schiraldi. During Marc’s time with JPI, the organization conducted groundbreaking research and helped lead reforms around the country and in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region, on issues such as addressing long prison terms and parole, solitary confinement of youth, emerging adults in the justice system, racial disparities and inequities, and the financial and societal costs of incarceration, amongst others.
“Marc is leaving JPI in a strong position as we look towards our next chapter of leadership and impact,” said JPI Board Chair Katharine Huffman. “The Board is eager to work with Paul and the incredible senior leadership and staff at JPI during this time of transition. We’re proud that JPI is seeding the field in many ways, and I know that Marc will continue to inspire us through his work in Maryland.”
“It has been an honor to serve as JPI’s Executive Director, working with a terrific team and outstanding partners for the past decade,” said Marc Schindler. “While I was not planning to leave at this time, the chance to drive reform from the inside in Governor Wes Moore’s administration and under the leadership of Vinny Schiraldi was an opportunity I could not pass up. I look forward to continuing to work with many of my colleagues in the field, just wearing a different hat moving forward.”
“We are thankful for Marc’s leadership and passion for JPI for the last ten years and know he will bring all that and more to improving the juvenile justice system in Maryland,” said Paul Ashton. “I am humbled to take on this interim role at JPI and lead such an incredible team as we continue the important work to ensure that our systems of justice are fair and effective, and all of our communities are healthy and safe.”
In the coming months, JPI will be conducting a national search for its next Executive Director. For further details as they become available, please visit www.justicepolicy.org, register for our email distribution list, or follow us on social media.
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