Justin Terrell named as new executive director of Minnesota Justice Research Center

The Minnesota Justice Research Center announced on Tuesday the appointment of criminal justice reform and democracy advocate Justin Terrell as its next executive director.

Terrell, who most recently served as the executive director of the Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage, is a community advocate at his core, with a track record of leading successful issue campaigns, centered on mobilizing community members to become advocates, organizers, and leaders on issues that directly impact them.

“I am excited to be taking on this role at this time in Minnesota’s arc towards justice for all’” says Terrell. “Recent events in our state — indeed, the nation as a whole — lay bare the racial disparities in our society. There is an urgent need to wrestle with the reality we’re facing, put a human face on the data, and design reforms with impacted communities at the center.”

The Minnesota Justice Research Center is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization established in 2017 to improve the justice system through high quality research, policy development, and education. Its overarching goal is to facilitate the transformation of the justice system in Minnesota so that it is effective, humane, and operates with a high level of public trust.

“The Minnesota Justice Research Center is thrilled to have Justin take the helm as executive director,” noted Andy Martens, Board Chair. “His work with the Minnesota Legislature and Governor, his skills at amplifying the voices of impacted communities, and his service on Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Board (now the Office of Police Misconduct) make him uniquely qualified to lead the Justice Research Center at this critical time. We need to bring the voice of the community to criminal justice reform. Justin will help us do just that.”

Terrell, who has served on the MNJRC Board, will begin his executive director duties in mid-September.

—Information provided by the Minnesota Justice Research Center.