Theory and Practice

We seek to contribute new thinking—and hard data—to the international conversation about justice reform. We also seek to put our ideas into practice by running programs that improve safety, reduce the unnecessary use of incarceration, and transform the experience of the justice system for defendants, victims, and the general public. 

Here are a few recent highlights that demonstrate our capacity for both doing and thinking:

"A Common-Sensical Vision of Criminal-Justice Reform"—The New York Times recommends our book, Start Here: A Road Map to Reducing Mass Incarceration. Start Here is also on the shortlist for the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice. 

Supervised Release Hits Milestone as City Works Toward Closing Rikers—We operate several programs in New York City that have been credited with helping thousands avoid jail.

What Do Defendants Really Think?—Our research team documented the attitudes of justice-system involved individuals in Newark, New Jersey, and Cleveland, Ohio. (There is significant room for improvement.) 

‘March For Our Lives’ Tour Makes Stop in the Bronx—Survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, visited our Save Our Streets program in the Bronx to help combat gun violence. 

Demystifying Risk Assessment—On our New Thinking podcast, a look at one of the most hot-button issues in criminal justice: the promise, and perils, of using risk assessment tools to help improve judicial decision-making.