Partnering to Improve Research on Justice Systems (About Us)

Bringing fresh perspective to juvenile and criminal justice research. Criminal and juvenile justice in the United States look vastly different than they did a decade ago. Years of declining crime rates, new bail and sentencing options, and evidence-based alternatives for juveniles and adults are just a few of the trends changing the face of the justice systems. At the same time, there is increased public support for making punishments more equitable, improving prison and jail conditions, and providing system-involved people with supports to improve their life outcomes. Yet safety and security within prisons and jails, racial disparities in contact with the justice system, and identifying and scaling up programs that work still pose challenges for the nation.