At the Center for Justice Innovation, we are committed to bridging the worlds of research and practice and spreading programs that have been determined to be effective.
This includes spreading evidence-based practices that have been documented by rigorous evaluation to have a positive impact.
When implemented with care, evidence-based practices are likely to make a difference, reducing crime and incarceration. No matter how strong the research supporting a particular intervention, success is dependent on the quality and consistency of implementation. The use of evidence-based practices should be guided by modesty, an appreciation of local factors, and a healthy dose of skepticism. There are no magic solutions to complicated problems. This balance of rigorous study and a strong connection to on-the-ground practice is at the core of the Center’s research-practice approach.
Initiatives
Rethinking Rikers Island
By providing support to the Independent Commission on Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, we're aiding in the effort to reduce New York City’s jail population and close Rikers Island.
In 2019, the Center for Court Innovation received funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to assist five states in the development and implementation of statewide strategic plans for their Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC). The selected states were California, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Each state participated in a needs assessment process that included a document analysis and stakeholder interviews.
This study examines 16 programs seeking to divert cases out of the criminal justice system finding significant reductions in the probability of a conviction, jail sentence, and future re-arrest, along with sizable savings in costs and resources.
This webinar highlights new research in the field of abusive partner intervention that focuses on survivor perspectives on programming and strengths-based approaches to addressing the intersection of systemic racism and program compliance. Faculty describes their research and how it ties to the Guiding Principles for Engagement and Intervention with People Who Cause Harm through Intimate Partner Violence and provides practical guidance to apply lessons learned from this emerging research.
More than 60 years after the Supreme Court guaranteed the right to an attorney for those who can’t afford one, public defense attorneys still often come with a price. Our new report takes a closer look at the role of defender fees across the country.