Programs & Practices
Civil and Criminal Justice
NCSL’s Civil and Criminal Justice program aims to promote effective and efficient state policies in areas such as juvenile justice, sentencing and corrections, and victims’ rights. One of their key focus areas is diversion in the juvenile justice system, which seeks to prevent youth from entering the justice system by providing alternatives to detention or formal court proceedings. The NCSL provides a range of resources and information to help state lawmakers better understand diversion practices and their potential benefits.
NCSL’s Civil and Criminal Justice program aims to promote effective and efficient state policies in areas such as juvenile justice, sentencing and corrections, and victims’ rights. One of their key focus areas is diversion in the juvenile justice system, which seeks to prevent youth from entering the justice system by providing alternatives to detention or formal court proceedings. The NCSL provides a range of resources and information to help state lawmakers better understand diversion practices and their potential benefits.
The Court Diversion program is part of the Office of the Vermont Attorney General and offers an alternative approach to traditional criminal justice processes. The program is designed to divert individuals who have committed minor offenses away from the court system and into community-based restorative justice programs. The goal of the Court Diversion program is to address the underlying causes of the behavior that led to the offense and to promote rehabilitation and community restoration. The program works closely with community partners to provide a range of services, including counseling, mediation, and community service opportunities, in order to promote accountability and positive outcomes for both the offender and the community. The Court Diversion program is an important resource for individuals in Vermont who may benefit from an alternative approach to justice and rehabilitation.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) CrimeSolutions is an online resource that provides information on evidence-based practices in criminal justice. It offers a database of programs and practices that have been rigorously evaluated to determine their effectiveness in reducing crime and recidivism. CrimeSolutions categorizes these programs and practices based on the strength of evidence supporting their effectiveness, making it easy for criminal justice professionals and policymakers to identify promising strategies for addressing specific types of crime. The website also includes additional resources, such as evaluation guidance and information on research methods, to support the implementation of evidence-based practices. Overall, CrimeSolutions is a valuable resource for anyone involved in the criminal justice system seeking evidence-based solutions to reduce crime and improve public safety.
The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system. One of its areas of focus is reentry, which involves helping formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society. The Center for Court Innovation provides a range of services to support reentry, including job training and placement, educational programs, and housing assistance. It also works with criminal justice agencies to develop more effective reentry policies and practices. The organization aims to reduce recidivism and promote public safety by providing people with the tools they need to succeed after they are released from prison.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC) is a national initiative focused on reducing over-incarceration and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system. The initiative aims to support innovative solutions that improve public safety, promote racial equity, and reduce the number of people in jails and prisons. The SJC provides financial and technical support to jurisdictions across the United States that are committed to making lasting changes to their criminal justice systems, including developing and implementing strategies to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention, improve case processing, and reduce the number of people cycling through jails.
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program is a state-level initiative in Wisconsin, USA. It is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, with the goal of reducing recidivism rates and incarceration costs by offering alternative treatment and diversion options for individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system. TAD provides funding and technical assistance to local jurisdictions to develop and implement evidence-based programs and practices that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment. The program focuses on individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, as well as veterans, women, and youth involved in the justice system.
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the administration of justice through education, research, consulting, and technical assistance. The NCSCs Behavioral Health Resource Hub provides a wide range of resources and information for state courts and court professionals regarding mental health, substance abuse, and related issues. In addition to the National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts Response to Mental Illness and the Behavioral Health Data Elements Guide for the State Courts, the hub includes links to webinars, reports, and other helpful materials to support court efforts to address behavioral health challenges.
The PPI California Profile is an online resource that provides detailed data and analysis of the California criminal justice system, including the states incarceration rates, demographics of the incarcerated population, and the economic and social impacts of incarceration in the state. The California Profile is part of a larger project by the PPI to create accessible and comprehensive data on mass incarceration in all 50 states, with the goal of promoting informed policy reform and public dialogue on this critical issue.
The Center for Criminal Justice Policy Research at Northeastern Universitys College of Criminal Justice conducts research on a variety of issues related to criminal justice policy. Its research agenda covers topics such as policing, the use of force, juvenile justice, sentencing and corrections, and reentry. The centers mission is to produce rigorous and innovative research that can help policymakers and practitioners make informed decisions about criminal justice policy. In addition to conducting research, the center provides training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations seeking to implement evidence-based practices in the field of criminal justice.
The Center on Media, Crime and Justice (CMCJ) is a think-tank based at John Jay College of Criminal Justice that aims to promote and improve the quality of reporting on criminal justice issues. The Center runs several programs, including The Crime Report, which provides news and analysis on criminal justice issues from around the world, and the Reporting Fellowship program, which supports in-depth reporting on justice and the law. The CMCJ also organizes symposiums, events, and seminars on criminal justice issues, bringing together journalists, policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to exchange ideas and promote informed debate on criminal justice reform.
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