A message from CJI Executive Director Christine Cole on racial justice

"The killings of Black and brown Americans and the structural racism in our society that has allowed them to happen, often with total impunity, demand more than words. They demand real, meaningful change."

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Recent Publications

5/27/2021

Investing in Louisiana Communities Through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI)

Louisiana’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) legislation transformed the state’s criminal justice system and is saving millions of dollars. The correctional savings achieved through JRI have allowed the state’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) Secretary James LeBlanc to expand educational, vocational, and pre-release programming in state prisons and local jails. Additionally, these savings enable…

4/19/2021

Law Enforcement Guidance For Policing Public Demonstrations

Policing protests is always a challenge. They are more difficult and tense when the protest is about police activity. However, law enforcement and communities can do a few things together to ensure that all are safe, and rights are protected. This document provides guidance and offers concrete steps for law enforcement about how to protect…

1/26/2021

Youth Diversion

What is youth diversion? Diversion directs young people away from formal processing in the juvenile justice system, while still holding them accountable for their actions. Learn more about youth diversion in CJI’s new one-pager.

10/1/2020

A framework for public safety to prepare for the 2020 election

              Click here for the one-page framework overview. See below for additional resources. Regardless of political affiliation, all public safety leaders should commit to supporting the democratic processes and institutions that support a free and fair election. It is imperative that public safety officials make plans in advance to…

City of Milwaukee Settlement Agreement Second Annual Report

CJI is currently working with the City of Milwaukee towards compliance with a court ordered settlement agreement regarding Milwaukee’s police practices. Key elements of that agreement include data collection efforts and improved accountability mechanisms. Read the second annual report here. Find all of CJI’s Milwaukee reports here.

6/17/2020

Justice Reinvestment: a Data-driven Approach to Enhance Public Safety

With support from data and policy experts, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) helps states identify opportunities to improve criminal justice outcomes, implement more cost-effective solutions, and invest in strategies that reduce recidivism and hold individuals accountable.

4/1/2020

Justice Reinvestment: Phase II; Implementing Statewide Reforms

This report report offers a brief overview of the implementation phase of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and the positive results in states CJI has partnered with, including Louisiana, Alaska, Maryland, Oklahoma, Utah, and Mississippi. 

11/19/2019

Justice Reinvestment Initiative: Prioritizing Prison Resources Where They Matter Most

The Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) is a partnership with state leaders from all three branches of government committed to using their criminal justice data to examine and improve their systems by implementing proven, innovative, and comprehensive approaches to reduce crime, cut recidivism rates, and shift resources toward more effective public safety strategies. A central goal…

News

The Tennessee State Capitol building on a sunny day
May 25, 2021

CJI’s Len Engel applauds passage of comprehensive criminal justice reforms in Tennessee

The following is a statement from Len Engel, Director of Policy & Campaigns for the Crime and Justice Institute, on the Tennessee Legislature’s passage of Alternatives to Incarceration (SB767/HB784) and the Reentry Success Act (SB768/HB785), landmark reform legislation. The Crime and Justice Institute provided technical assistance to Tennessee leaders in development of the bills as part of the federal Justice Reinvestment Initiative.

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