Our Origin
On October 15, 1999, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appointed the Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System to investigate the potential impact of racial and gender bias in the Pennsylvania justice system. The Committee was tasked with identifying key issues, such as:
- Treatment of litigants with limited English proficiency
- Racial, ethnic and gender bias in jury selection
- Adequacy of indigent criminal defendant representation
- Racial and ethnic disparities in the imposition of the death penalty
- Employment and appointment practices of the courts
- Perceptions and occurrences of racial, ethnic and gender bias in the courtroom
- Treatment of victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Racial, ethnic and gender bias in the juvenile justice system
To conduct its study, the Committee formed work groups consisting of experts such as legal professionals, educators, and advocates. These groups utilized a comprehensive research methodology that included public hearings, surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, and roundtable discussions. The Committee also reviewed existing statistical studies and reports from other states to inform their findings and recommendations, which were ultimately presented to the Supreme Court in 2003. To redress these concerns and ensure a fairer, more equitable justice system, the Committee recommended the establishment of the Commission.
Our Commission
The Commission was established in 2005 by all three branches of Pennsylvania government and is considered a model among the nation’s courts for addressing bias. The Commission is directed by Maraleen Shields, Esq. and consists of 24 volunteer appointees (“Commissioners”). Appointments are divided evenly between the three branches, giving our Commission its unique “interbranch” arrangement. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania receives eight appointments, as does the Governor and the General Assembly (2 by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 2 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and 2 by the Minority Leader of the House).
The work of the Commission is conducted through committees. To learn more about these Committees, use the buttons on this page to visit their pages. The Commissioners, who oversee the committees and any special initiatives, meet quarterly.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Commission is to promote fairness and justice in the Commonwealth by identifying and addressing systemic barriers, reducing bias and discrimination in all forms, and working to ensure that justice is accessible, impartial, and grounded in the dignity and humanity of every individual. The Commission fulfills this purpose by:
- Implementing the recommendations from the 2003 study by the Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System and related follow-up studies;
- Investigating and developing new initiatives to address persistent and emerging forms of bias;
- Promoting public and professional awareness of the impact of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and disability on access to and the fair delivery of justice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
- Identifying, developing, and recommending policies, best practices, and laws that promote fairness and eliminate discrimination and misinformation/disinformation across all branches of government and within all communities of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
- Supporting state and local officials, as well as legal professionals, with the training, resources, and tools necessary to ensure equal access to justice within all communities in the Commonwealth; and
- Increasing public awareness and confidence by collaborating with community organizations regarding the fairness expected of the three branches of government in our Commonwealth.
The Commission grounds its work in evidence-based practices informed by data, research, and the lived experiences of all residents of Pennsylvania.
Our Impact
We envision a Commonwealth where fairness and justice are not only foundational values, but daily realities for all people. By fostering collaboration across the three branches of government and between Pennsylvania’s 60 judicial districts, the Commission works to identify and address barriers that may prevent equitable participation in and engagement with the justice system.
