Statement of Core Values
The Center for Justice Innovation works to achieve justice and equity; create safe, healthy, and thriving communities; and ultimately transform justice systems.
The Center does this by integrating:
- new thinking and creative practices;
- rigorous research and data analytics;
- implementation assistance and policy guidance.
Our core values affirm our commitments to operational excellence and continuously learning and growing from past efforts. We strive to embody these four values in all of our actions—internal and external, local and national, and community-based and systems-focused.
INTEGRITY
We cultivate transparency, accountability, and continuous self-reflection. We activate discussion around the inequities, tensions, and pressures in the work of justice, acknowledge when mistakes are made, and promote repair.
IMPACT
We seek to positively impact the individuals and communities we serve through data-informed policies and programs that decrease both state and interpersonal violence and advance justice and safety. We rely on holistic approaches to design and evaluation whenever possible to ensure that our work is grounded in and informed by affected communities. We build on and learn from past work to identify promising paths for moving forward.
EQUITY
We are committed to combatting all forms of oppression—including white supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and classism—within our organization, communities, and justice systems. We specifically recognize and condemn racism and its role in shaping policies in the legal system. We strive to center marginalized individuals and communities in our work; to document inequities; and to improve people’s well-being by rectifying the harms caused by systemic and historic oppression.
COLLABORATION
We believe that inclusivity and empowering communities is necessary to achieve justice and meaningful change. We collaboratively identify problems and co-create solutions by engaging communities, program participants, our staff, justice system actors, and other change agents. We listen openly and build relationships based on compassion, humility, and respect.