Lori Eville, remembered by NIC

On March 10, 2021, Lori Eville lost her battle with cancer. The following is a reflection on the impact her life—taken way too short—had on those who knew her, and even those who did not.

After a successful career with the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, Lori accepted a position with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in 2009 and quickly became one of the most influential and respected voices in the pretrial services and criminal justice fields. Managing NIC’s pretrial portfolio, Lori personally provided or contracted technical assistance for jurisdictions stretching from Maryland to Hawaii. She managed one of NIC’s centerpiece projects, the Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) initiative initiative and coordinated the work of many hundreds of stakeholders in six states and 28 localities to make evidence-based decisions a justice system hallmark. She also advanced NIC’s training on legal and evidence-based pretrial practices, using her experience as a former training participant to upgrade the curriculum for NIC’s Orientation for New Pretrial Executives and to develop state and regional Stakeholders’ Trainings to advance bail reform in states such as Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

Lori invigorated NIC’s Pretrial Executives Network, adding new members and fresh perspectives to the group and providing a forum for discussions about best practices and reforms needed to flourish.

Lori built a small army of fellow practitioners who would go on to call her colleague, sparring partner, collaborator, advisor, mentor, occasional co-conspirator, and—always—friend. Lori’s innovative nature and gift for directing collaborative work with this group yielded some of the most important work in the pretrial field. Lori partnered with Tim Schnacke of the Center for Legal and Evidence-Based Practices to produce two seminal works: Fundamentals of Bail: A Resource Guide for Pretrial Practitioners and a Framework for American Pretrial Reform and Money as a Criminal Justice Stakeholder: The Judge’s Decision to Release or Detain a Defendant Pretrial. These publications addressed the persistent misconceptions about the purpose of bail and the continuing negative effects of money on bail outcomes.

Talks with colleagues about the need for standardized data elements for pretrial agencies became the inspiration for Measuring What Matters: Outcome and Performance Measures for the Pretrial Services Field. Feedback from Orientation participants and opinions from practitioners pointed to a need for criteria to identify high-functioning pretrial systems and agencies. The result: Lori assembled a group of subject matter experts to create A Framework for Pretrial Justice: Essential Elements of an Effective Pretrial System and Agency. This publication eventually helped inspire the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA), with funding from NIC championed by Lori, to update its Standards for Pretrial Release in 2020. Lori also put a spotlight on the important role diversion plays in pretrial justice, convening several national discussions with thought partners and practitioners from around the country, and ensuring the EBDM project sites paid serious attention to diversion. Remembering her experience in Multnomah County as a pretrial chief within a probation department, Lori brought together Tim Schnacke and NAPSA to create Pretrial Release and Probation: What is the Same and What is Different?, a primer for both pretrial and probation disciplines about the differences in histories, purposes, legal foundations, and research between the two fields.

Lori forged a meaningful partnership with the Center for Effective Public Policy while overseeing EBDM. This partnership would result in a host of important publications, among them A Framework for Evidence-Based Decision Making in State and Local Criminal Justice Systems and 26 related publications.

In 2019, Lori was awarded the Pioneer Award by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies and in 2020 Lori was bestowed the NIC Director’s Award for her work with the Illinois Supreme Court on the implementation of a Statewide Pretrial Service Agency.

Each of these critical contributions and others too many to account for establish with certainty that Lori did what she set out to do: simply stated, she changed the world in ways that others can only hope to do. As a thought partner, champion for justice, orchestrator, and unimaginably good friend, she will be sorely missed. But her legacy stands as a beacon to what one person can do.

The National Institute of Corrections was devastated to lose Lori Eville. She was not only a respected and accomplished leader throughout her career, but also among her peers and colleagues throughout NIC. Her competence and sharp mind were well known, but so, too, were her compassion and her courage. Courage the word that often comes to mind when I think of Lori and her work at NIC. She took on the tough topics; the ones that others said would be too hard to define, contain, tackle, or make a difference in. She had courage. She had the difficult conversations with colleagues, leaders, and others throughout the field of corrections in order to help them see things differently. She had courage. She had the courage to challenge herself, her beliefs, and her own thinking; considering the diversity of perspectives and evolve her thinking accordingly. She had courage. Though Lori will be missed, her courageous work, her legacy, and how she touched our hearts will live on at NIC." Shaina Vanek
Acting Director, National Institute of Corrections

Besides being an incredible professional, Lori was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She was a dear friend and colleague to many. Lori had a brilliant mind and a caring heart. She was tirelessly hardworking, passionate and compassionate in her service to others. Lori loved processing out-loud and she was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Lori was an amazing leader, she loved what she did with her whole heart, she loved her Community Services Division team, and NIC as a whole. She loved the professionals she worked with, the practitioners she served and the people in the justice system whom she advocated for. Although we will indeed miss her intellect, it is her heart we will miss the most. NIC is committed to honoring Lori’s memory and legacy through the continuation of the great work she has done. Holly Busby
Chief, NIC Community Services Division

I've been speechless today because my friend, "E" is gone. I promised her, her work would continue. As the NIC family grieves our lost, we will also celebrate her. Robbye Braxton
Program Manager, NIC Community Services Division

For me Lori was always the colleague that I would walk down the hallway, knock on her door, and say "do you have a minute"? I knew she was there because I could hear her wonderful laughter on phone with colleagues, which always made me smile. In addition to her wonderful sense of humor and broad and deep knowledge on criminal justice challenges, she brought a deep sense of social justice. I have a great sense of respect for Lori, miss her counsel and her ability to always lighten the moment when it was needed. Go with grace, my friend. Maureen Buell
Correctional Program Specialist, NIC Community Services Division

I had a conversation with Veronica Cunningham recently and she reminisced about her first engagement with Lori when she was in New Orleans conducting pretrial work and Lori invited her to the Pretrial Orientation, when she arrived Lori made her feel very welcomed and comfortable, kinda “like catching up with an old friend.”

When I first met Lori in 2009, she had just arrived at NIC and Steve Austin brought her to a meeting in Virginia Beach that our state association leadership was holding to discuss pretrial. Lori was excited and easy to talk with, she and I talked about her ride down to the beach from Washington DC and I suggested that she take the ride back via the Eastern shore and shared my knowledge of the area, she was all-in and excited for the opportunity to explore new terrain. I recall this first time meeting Lori as easy and comfortable, “like catching up with an old friend.” Katie Green
Correctional Program Specialist, NIC Community Services Division

Lori Eville was a great friend and colleague. Whenever I needed to talk through an idea, or issue, she always opened her door and welcomed the conversation. Lori cared deeply about what she was doing. She was kind and passionate and had a wonderful sense of humor. I will miss her. Greg Crawford
Correctional Program Specialist, NIC Community Services Division

I came to NIC on an Inter-agency Personal Transfer one year after Lori did. She was always Lori E and I was Lorie B to help our colleagues keep track of us! Lori's wit and spirit were immediately evident upon meeting her. Her energy and drive made her fun and challenging to work with - I always learned something from her. I will miss our conversations and her sense of humor. Her passing has left a hole in my heart that now must be filled with the great memories I have of her. What an incredible privilege it is to have known Lori and call her friend. Lorie Brisbin
Correctional Program Specialist, NIC Community Services Division

Lori is leadership and service excellence personified, in her approach to helping and supporting agencies, her colleagues and advancing correctional practice in her pretrial portfolio. One of my most brilliant memories of Lori is her kickoff keynote and charge to our Evidence Based Decision-making (EBDM) Phase Two Summit at the National Corrections Academy (NCA) in February, 2013. I just marveled at her engaging and adroit manner as she brought us all into what we would be up to for the three day summit. Just one of her many gifts :) Leslie LeMaster
Correctional Program Specialist, NIC Academy Division

I am deeply saddened to hear about Lori's passing. Lori was a dynamic, strategic, passionate and outgoing visionary whose contributions to pretrial services is unsurpassed. I have fond memories of her at conferences with a crowd gathered around her listening intently, laughing and enjoying her company. I know I always did. Her expertise and caring personality will truly be missed. Cindy McCoy
Director of Correctional Services
Grant County, Indiana

What started with us as a professional relationship with Lori became a friendship. We appreciated that she was an unfailing cheerleader for Indiana and Grant County. Her energy sustained the EBDM movement, and it is not an exaggeration to say that its successes will be her professional legacy. Through that, she has changed countless lives across the country. I’m saddened by her passing. We have lost a friend and champion for Indiana and Grant County. Hon. Mark Spitzer
Grant County Circuit Court, Indiana

I have two feelings about this. The first is I was blessed to have known Lori. Everyone … knows she was an exceptional leader, colleague and friend - most of all a friend. The second thought is that feeling of sadness and loss. We will all miss her, but we were all lucky to know her. Domingo Corona
Director, Pretrial Services, Pima County AZ

When I joined NAPSA in 2015, I didn’t know much about Pretrial and one of the first persons to come into my orbit was Lori. She was a mentor, friend, and true pioneer for pretrial agencies and reform. Her leadership shines within those she came into contact.

As I send this, I am listening to the NIC Advisory Committee meeting. They began the meeting with Shaina Vanek and Holly Busby paying heartfelt tributes to Lori and her family. It was quite emotional and several others on the call shared similar tributes.

Her passion and compassion resonated through all that she accomplished in her work and for her colleagues and especially for her family. She will be missed in so many ways. Jim Sawyer,
Executive Director, National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies

I so admired her leadership, passion, and commitment to this work. I will remember her as a champion in community corrections with an emphasis on pretrial services and bail reform! Veronica Cunningham
Executive Director, American Probation and Parole Association

Time to pause with you all and honor a beloved colleague with an authentic vision for truth, goodness, and compassion in our system. Tom O'Connor
CEO, Transforming Corrections

Lori was a friend, a confidant, and a champion for justice. Nick Sayner
President, National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies

She touched all of us and was so very full of life. My heart goes out to her family, loved ones, and our whole community. Elizabeth Simoni
Executive Director, Maine Pretrial Services, Inc.

Elizabeth (Simoni) and I were talking yesterday about what a special person she is and how her influence in this field is unprecedented. Joel Bishop
Executive Director, Criminal Justice & Community Corrections, El Paso

Lori was truly special and it is a great loss for us all, both personally and professionally. She absolutely distinguished herself and left a mark on our system that will forever endure. Prayers go out to her and her family. Christine Dozier
Chief Pretrial Services Officer (Ret.)
U.S. Pretrial Services

My heart is aching for everyone who ever knew Lori and am just thinking about all the lives she touched! Janice Radovick Dean
5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Pretrial Services
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Her reach was immeasurable. This is heartbreaking news. Marianne Clear
Director, Thurston County Pretrial Services

At a time when everyone involved with bail reform, including all of DOJ -- was firmly resistant to talk about money -- she pretty much single handedly forced everyone to deal with money bail head on. After her, DOJ changed its position (even getting involved in money cases), PJI changed its position, Alec started suing, and the whole narrative became about "money bail." When Illinois eliminated "cash bail," I thought of Lori.

For what it's worth, I decided to go all in with Lori and NIC mostly due to Lori and her personality. Other groups promised more money, etc., but I couldn't see not working with Lori simply because I liked her so much. Tim Schnacke
Center for Legal and Evidence Based Practices

Lori was always the optimist. She knew where we needed to go but there are different paths to get there. She was also a believer of doing what was right, just, [and] fair...not what was easy. This often meant taking the road less traveled and paving the way for change. Taking a step back, listening to the room rather than what I thought- meeting people where they were, not where I wanted them to be.... always looking at all sides "all things equal". Kelly Bradford
New Mexico AOC Pretrial Program Manager

Lori was a mentor, friend, colleague and bonus mom to me. She taught me so much about life, leadership and pretrial justice. I will miss hearing her say when I call "hey, my friend Tanya what’s going on” or making sure when we had dinner at a conference the menu had chicken fingers and fries for me. A piece of my heart has been broken but I will forever cherish the memories that we made together. Gone from earth but Never forgotten. #teamlori

With all my heart! Tanya Anderson
Center for Effective Public Policy

Lori called me a few weeks back while she was at dialysis. She told me about the leave days that employees from NIC had donated which totaled over 700. She was so amazed by that. During the call she also became emotional when she asked me to pass on a thank you to one of my staff members who had sent her a card and well wishes. This person had never “met” Lori but had been to a few conferences and had hear her speak. The card thanked her for being such an inspiration and for sparking passion for the field and the work. Once again Lori was amazed that someone who didn’t know her would send her a card.

I don’t think Lori realized the impact she really had across the country. Anyone who is a serious practitioner in the field knew Lori, either in person, by name or by reputation. Lori may not have lived a very long life but damn she made a difference. Barb Hankey
Manager, Oakland County Community Corrections

For those of you who knew Lori, you know that she was brilliant, incredibly strategic, and passionate about justice, especially pretrial justice. She almost single-handedly pioneered NIC’s pretrial work, was responsible for establishing NIC’s Pretrial Executives Network, and spearheaded the development of seminal works such as A Framework for Pretrial Justice: Essential Elements of an Effective Pretrial System and Agency, Money as a Criminal Justice Stakeholder: The Judge’s Decision to Release or Detain a Defendant Pretrial, and Measuring What Matters: Outcome and Performance Measures for the Pretrial Services Field. She was also the brilliant, strategic thinker behind EBDM.

Lori was also a bridge builder. She had an uncanny ability to find and bring together good people who, like herself, are selfless in their pursuit of justice. And for those of you who had the privilege, as I did, of being her friend, you know that she was a true “blue” (in True Colors vernacular). She cared and worried for others much more than herself. I can hear her voice in my head as I write this: “Hi Friend. How are you? Tell me what’s happening.”

For those of you who did not know Lori, trust me when I tell you that you’ve missed out on the opportunity to know one of the great people in this world. Mimi Carter