Cover of "Prioritizing Prison Resources" publication

This publication by the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) explores promising outcomes from the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI). The four states highlighted in this publication — Mississippi, Utah, Louisiana, and Alaska — received technical assistance from CJI in their JRI efforts.

Read the full report here: Justice Reinvestment Initiative: Prioritizing Prison Resources Where They Matter Most

JRI is an intensive, data-driven approach that allows states to examine and improve their justice systems by implementing proven, innovative, and comprehensive approaches to reduce crime, cut recidivism rates, and shift resources toward more effective public safety strategies. JRI is funded through a public-private partnership between the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Arnold Ventures, and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Key indicators of progress toward prioritizing prison resources where they matter is a decrease in overall prison population and an increase in the proportion of a state’s prison population comprised of people convicted of violent offenses versus nonviolent offenses. All four states enacted policies to achieve these goals, and data confirm these policies are working:

  • After passing JRI legislation in 2014, Mississippi saw a 22 percent decrease in prison population and 14 percentage point increase in prison beds occupied by those convicted of violent offenses
  • After passing JRI legislation in 2014, Utah saw a 21 percent decrease in prison population and 13 percentage point increase in prison beds occupied by those convicted of violent offenses
  • After passing JRI legislation in 2017, Louisiana saw a 26 percent decrease in prison population and 21 percentage point increase in prison beds occupied by those convicted of violent offenses
  • After passing JRI legislation in 2016, Alaska saw a 14 percent decrease in the incarcerated population and 10 percentage point increase in people incarcerated on violent offenses

For more information or additional state data, contact Barbara Pierce, Director of Justice Initiatives, at bpierce@cjinstitute.org.