To effectively address the problem of mass incarceration, prosecutors must adopt ways to respond to cases involving violence that don’t rely on jails and prisons. The "Prosecutors and Responses to Crimes of Violence: Notes from the Field" document offers in-depth case study findings and is intended as a tool for jurisdictions looking to expand alternative approaches to crimes of violence.
The Recovery and Reform team provides high-quality training and technical assistance to improve community and legal system responses to behavioral health and reduce harm to individuals and communities. This work is guided by our values: person-centered practices, equitable collaboration, transformative impact, and anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework. Learn more about this team's work and how they can assist jurisdictions and communities across the country.
Every major reform is a hard-fought win, but if your goal is genuine system-change, getting your policy passed is only the beginning of your fight. With the help of a range of seasoned policy campaigners and real-world examples, our guide highlights the elements of strong, sustainable implementation, helping to ensure your policy translates into lasting change on the ground.
The criminal legal system has a well-documented history of racial disparities and mistreatment of minoritized racial and ethnic groups. Treatment courts are a part of this same system and unfortunately, have not been exempt from racial and ethnic disparities in its programs. American University and the Center for Justice Innovation collaborated to assist treatment courts in several states in tackling racial and ethnic disparities.
The Center for Justice Innovation and RxStat convened together stakeholders in the criminal justice, court, and public health systems to discuss the treatment of drug use and prevention of fatal overdoses in the context of the criminal justice system, as well as the integration of harm reduction principles. This document, which maps many of the court-based problem substance use interventions currently utilized across New York City, came out of this forum of experts.
This guide on Risk-Need-Responsivity: Response Recommendations for Community Courts provides best practices for court practitioners in alignment with evidence-based RNR findings, including advice on incentives and sanctions and a response matrix template.
In partnership with the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office, this study looks at the potential for offering meaningful alternatives to traditional prosecution for people accused of felony offenses in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, laying out key aspects of planning a successful diversion program.
In a system rife with economic and racial disparities and swollen jail populations, could public defenders be the answer hiding in plain sight? Following a roundtable hosted by the Center for Justice Innovation on the sixtieth anniversary of the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright decision, this policy brief explores key areas where public defenders and jurisdictions are—despite their limited resources—working to make the promise of Gideon a reality.
After sweeping reforms to New Jersey’s criminal justice system, Newark Community Solutions joined local criminal justice practitioners and launched a pilot program in Essex County to bring supportive services to people with mental health needs awaiting trial in the community. This report gathers lessons and recommendations gleaned from Newark Community Solutions’ experience providing assessment and case management services within this pilot program.
Problem-solving courts can help create lasting public safety by addressing the underlying challenges that bring people into the system, but their success depends on their ability to build partnerships with local service providers and community organizations. This two-part resource for community courts includes guidance and best practices for developing strong relationships with local resource providers. It also includes a comprehensive spreadsheet to help courts maintain a robust offering of resources for the people they serve.