Michael Thompson

Director, Justice Center, Council of State Governments

Michael Thompson has worked on criminal justice policy issues for nearly 20 years. He started with the Council of State Governments (CSG) in 1997 as a policy analyst and the sole staff person assigned to the criminal justice program for CSG's Eastern Regional Conference. Under his leadership, that program launched major projects in the areas of victim rights, criminal justice/mental health collaboration, and prisoner reentry. Since transforming the regional criminal justice program into the national CSG Justice Center, Mike designed the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and conceptualized the organization's work in school discipline. The Justice Center's work has prompted major policy initiatives that have enjoyed broad bipartisan support in states across the country. A nationally recognized expert in criminal justice issues who is often quoted in major media outlets, Mike has authored numerous publications and testified before Congress on multiple occasions. Prior to joining CSG, Mike worked for three years for the Office of the Court Monitor in San Juan, Puerto Rico-an office established by a U.S. District Court Judge. Mike received his B.A. with Honors from Middlebury College.