The Judicial Process Commission is accepting nominations for the first-ever Virginia and John Mackey Awards for leadership and training in restorative, criminal or social justice.
The Rev. Virginia and John Mackey were advocates of criminal justice and social justice in the greater Rochester area and beyond. They founded the Judicial Process Commission in the 1970s in response to serious problems in the criminal-justice system and the violent conclusion of the Attica prison uprising. The commission addressed major issues involving law enforcement, the courts, and jail and prison reform.
The Mackey Leadership Award will be presented to an individual or group that has initiated a new process that has a reasonable potential for significant improvement in restorative, criminal or social justice, or has led to a longstanding and significant improvement in those areas. The Mackey Training Award will be given to a group or an individual that has sought to train or already has engaged in the training of individuals who will advocate in the fields of criminal, restorative or social justice.
One winner will be selected each year in each category, and each winner will receive $1,000 and public recognition. Any member of the public may submit nominations, but they only may be submitted by individuals. Nominations must be submitted no later than Oct. 15. Forms may be obtained by contacting Fred Schaeffer of the Judicial Process Commission’s Mackey Awards Committee at 585-244-2074 or fredss@frontiernet.net.
