Winona State University will host the 21st Conference on the Small City and Regional Community to discuss key issues in criminal justice for small cities on Wednesday, Oct. 19, and Thursday, Oct. 20, in Kryzsko Commons, East Hall.

This conference is open to criminal justice workers, legal workers, social workers, counselors, academics, students and interested citizens. Registration is free for everyone.

The keynote address will feature “Corrections and the Small City: Practices, Challenges, and the De-privatization of Prisons” by John Shook of the University of Dubuque from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 19. The featured speaker will be “In/Complete Trust: Building Community Trust in Law Enforcement” by Susan Riseling, Executive Director of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. Oct. 20.

A variety of breakout sessions will cover topics such as “Neighborhood policing,” “Alcohol and Drug Use and Recovery,” “Transgender, Women’s, and Minority Rights and Experiences” and more. The complete schedule is available online.

For free registration, register online at wsu.mn/21st-conference. The first 100 registrants will receive a free dinner ticket for Oct. 19. Participants who register before Oct. 12 also will receive a free lunch ticket for Oct. 20.

This conference is co-organized by the Winona State University Department of Sociology and the Center for the Small City at UW-Stevens Point.

For more information, contact conference coordinator Nicole Civettini at ncivettini@winona.edu.