Based on a survey of 20 jurisdictions across the United States currently employing community advisory boards, this fact sheet provides guidance on establishing goals, a review of practical considerations, and examples of accomplishments from around the country.
This fact sheet distills a growing body of research about evidence-based strategies in five areas for reducing recidivism among criminal offenders: assessment, treatment, deterrence, procedural justice, and collaboration.
Originally published in the New York State Bar Association Journal in January 2011, this article describes how New York youth courts work to divert cases from criminal court.
This report provides results of a 2013 community survey in Newark, New Jersey. Working alongside local residents and Newark-based nonprofits, researchers sought to learn community perceptions of the justice system, public safety, and community life in Newark.
QUEST Futures is a juvenile mental health initiative that seeks to establish a comprehensive, coordinated response to youth with mental illness involved in the juvenile justice system in Queens, New York. This factsheet gives an overview of the program and highlights the findings of an impact evaluation of the program.
This brief aims to inform school safety policy for the incoming mayoral administration of Bill de Blasio as well as other stakeholders in New York City. It describes changes in school safety practice, policy, and programs during the previous administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg (2002-2013). The brief was funded by the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity and the Mayor's Office in late 2013.
This is an evaluation of a pilot project at the Milwaukee County Criminal Court intended to enhance defendant perceptions of procedural justice by improving the oral, written, and nonverbal communication used by judges. Courtroom observations measured an increase in the use of 14 practices inculding eye contact with defendants and the use of plain English to explain procedures and decisions.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance's initiative, Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated Programs, partners with the field to leverage existing ideas and expertise to address the critical gaps in Bureau programs and strategies. This report analyzes the program, finding that overall, the Bureau of Justice Assistance achieved its goal of generating new ideas and programs.
This fact sheet highlights five recommendations from a comprehensive evaluation of the Red Hook Community Justice Center by the National Center for State Courts, which concludes that criminal courts throughout the country could adopt practices honed in community courts—such as new assessment tools, enhanced monitoring of court orders, information technology, procedural justice efforts, and expanded sentencing options—to improve the
