The Center for Justice Innovation—and our operating programs—are regularly featured in the media. Here is a sampling of the press coverage of our work.
Those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents often feel the legal system fails to hold drivers accountable. Highlighting our driver accountability programs that use the principles of restorative justice, KPBS radio in San Diego quotes our Amanda Berman, "Having to confront [the impact of your actions] and reckon with that is much more powerful and much more likely to change behavior."
Discussing the city's Blueprint to End Gun Violence, Elise White, the deputy director of research at the Center, shares findings from our latest study on gun violence, which interviewed young people who use guns, and advocates for larger systems of support and resources to advance public safety and wellbeing.
In Slate, John Pfaff compares gun violence reduction strategies in both Philadelphia and New York City, citing our August 2020 report that looks at reducing this type of violence by addressing the root causes, often systemic, that negatively impact already marginalized communities.
An important piece from Emily Bazelon in the New York Times on crime, prosecution, and public safety. Citing a body of research, including our own, she showcases the "strong evidence that less prosecution and incarceration pays off in improvements in public safety."
Marisol Rivera is a violence interrupter with our Save Our Streets. This anti-violence program works to stop violence and prevent shootings before they escalate. "You can't tell a young person to put a gun down and don't replace it with a job, with a trade, or something they are interested in," Rivera tells abc7 New York of our approach.
Written by Vincent Schiraldi, the former commissioner of New York City’s Departments of Correction, this article urges looking at New York City's history of substantially reducing incarceration over decades while simultaneously lowering crime when currently evaluating bail reform. With links to our Jail in New York City Evidence-Based Opportunities report, Schiraldi cites our research stating that individuals sentenced to city jails increases a person’s recidivism rate.
Save Our Streets received recognition from Bill de Blasio and his son for our efforts to keep the peace without requiring police intervention. “Too often you have been unsung heroes, today we are singing your praises,” said Mayor de Blasio as he presented the proclamation documents. “You are doing sacred work, and it is making a huge difference.”
Bronx News12 profiles the winter wonderland extravaganza that Save Our Streets recently held at its offices in Morrisania. Bronx Community Justice Center project director, Carmen J. Hernandez, is interviewed and explains the impact and history of the program as well as the plans to expand services throughout the borough.
This article details the Center for Court Innovation and Planned Parenthood's outreach efforts to host dinner and ‘Kitchen Table Talks’ with neighbors to provide them with information and the tools they need to keep their communities safe from lead. The Central New York Community Foundation has provided a $40,000 grant to fund a partnership between the two organizations in Western Upstate NY to help protect families and children from lead paint that could be present in homes built before the paint was outlawed in 1978.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City’s court system has seen a backlog of cases, nearly 52,000 criminal cases were pending as of November 2021. The article cites our report on closing Rikers Island that found that improvements to the court backlog and case processing times could lower the city jail population by more than 1,000 people.
