-
Integrated Reentry & Employment Strategies: Pilot Project Process Evaluation Report
The IRES Pilot Project Process Evaluation Report details the findings of comprehensive analysis of two pilot sites–Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and Palm Beach County, Florida–seeking to integrate the efforts of their corrections and workforce development systems. -
On Track: How Well Are States Preparing Youth in the Juvenile Justice System for Employment?
Drawing on first-of-its-kind survey data collected from all 50 states, this brief establishes an unprecedented baseline for understanding how juvenile correctional agencies are preparing youth for employment. -
Stepping Up Initiative Celebrates 500 Counties Milestone
“Stepping Up was born out of conversations with community leaders, law enforcement officials, and behavioral health specialists, who told us that the number of people with mental illnesses coming into their jails was a top challenge for them,” said Megan Quattlebaum, director of the CSG Justice Center. -
New Analysis Shows How Parole and Probation Violations Significantly Impact States’ Prison Populations and Budgets
New data reveals the startling extent to which probation and parole violations contribute to states’ high prison admissions and populations, as well as the subsequent cost to taxpayers.
Integrated Reentry & Employment Strategies: Pilot Project Process Evaluation Report
Recent CSG Justice Center Posts
Q&A with Assistant Secretary Stump
A Q&A with about career and technical education for incarcerated youth with Scott Stump, the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Career and Technical and Adult Education.
Pennsylvania Justice Reinvestment Legislation Signed into Law, Expected to Save Millions
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed two long-awaited pieces of criminal justice legislation into law on December 18, 2019 which are expected to save $48 million in corrections spending by 2023. The policy changes are the result of Pennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI).
Congress Approves Spending Packages to Fully Fund the U.S. Government
Last December, President Donald Trump signed 2 appropriations packages, which contained all 12 appropriations bills, to fund the U.S. government for FY2020. These packages include funding for key criminal justice programs aimed at increasing public safety and reducing recidivism at the local and state levels.
Pennsylvania Sees Steady Decline in Crime Rate over Last 20 Years
Since 1998, Pennsylvania has seen its overall crime rate drop 45 percent and remain consistently lower than the national crime rate. A new infographic from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections illustrates crime trends from 1998 to 2018 and shows how […]
“Purpose, Necessity, and Impact”: Reflections from the Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program
After participating in the week-long, intensive Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program, several participants share what they learned and aim to implement in their jurisdictions.
New Restitution Resource Center Will Help States Improve Services for Crime Victims
The Restitution Resource Center will help states improve the quality of their restitution systems by providing a central source for best practices and successful innovations in the field as well as facilitating peer networks and information exchange.
Highlights
- Online Course: Ten Steps to Transforming Probation Departments to Reduce Recidivism
- With Second Chance Act Grant, Probation Officer Brings Positive Change to Maricopa County
- In Focus: Conducting a Comprehensive Process Analysis
- New Analysis Shows How Parole and Probation Violations Significantly Impact States’ Prison Populations and Budgets
- Connecticut and Sonoma County, California Kick off Data-Driven Effort to Overhaul Juvenile Justice Systems
Announcements
Tennessee’s Criminal Justice Investment Task Force Publishes Comprehensive Policy Recommendations
In December, the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force published policy recommendations that will be considered in forthcoming legislative sessions.
Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration Releases Policy Recommendations to Combat Jail Population Growth
Announcement of the release of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration’s final report.
WEBINARS
Working with People Who Have Developmental Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System—Access and Communication
Continuing the discussion started in the webinar, Understanding Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in People Involved with the Criminal Justice System, this webinar addresses the practical application of tips for working successfully with people in the criminal justice system who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs).
2019 Second Chance Act Orientation: Improving Reentry for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
In this webinar, representatives from the NRRC, along with staff from BJA, provide an overview of the Second Chance Act’s Reentry for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Illness grant program and explain the training and technical assistance opportunities, Planning & Implementation Guide, and other resources available to grantees.
2019 Second Chance Act Orientation: Innovations in Supervision Initiative
During this webinar, recipients of the FY2019 Second Chance Act Innovations in Supervision Initiative: Building Capacity to Create Safer Communities award receive information about the grant program, including steps for getting the program started, submission of the Planning and Implementation Guide, and Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) expectations. Technical assistance providers from the National Reentry Resource Center and representatives from BJA answer questions and discuss resources that are available to grantees.
2019 Second Chance Act Orientation: Community Based Adult Reentry Grantees
During this webinar, recipients of the FY2019 Second Chance Act Community-Based Adult Reentry award receive information about the grant program, including steps for getting the program started, submission of the Planning and Implementation (P&I) Guide, and Bureau of Justice Assistance expectations.
2019 JMHCP Grantee Orientation: Category 1
In this webinar, CSG Justice Center staff explain the training and technical assistance opportunities and resources available to FY18 JMHCP grantees.
PUBLICATIONS
Justice Reinvestment in Vermont: Final Presentation
The fifth and final presentation to Vermont’s Justice Reinvestment II Working Group provides an overview of the project’s key findings and recommendations.
How to Reduce Repeat Encounters: A Brief for Law Enforcement Executives
This 2-page brief provides four practical steps law enforcement executives can take to address and improve outcomes for people who are high utilizers in their jurisdiction.
Justice Reinvestment in Vermont: Fourth Presentation
The fourth presentation to the Vermont Justice Reinvestment II Working Group focuses on analysis of DOC data, including prison and supervision population trends, as well as assessments of community supervision and behavioral health interventions.
Justice Reinvestment in Maine: Overview
This overview outlines a number of criminal justice challenges in Maine, including high opioid overdose death rates and a growing prison population, and provides a summary of the stages of the Justice Reinvestment process.
Justice Reinvestment in Maine: Third Presentation
The third presentation to the Maine Commission to Improve the Sentencing, Supervision, Incarceration and Management of Prisoners focuses on analysis of sentencing practices as well as key trends in prison and probation populations and admissions.
JUSTICE CENTER IN THE NEWS
[Opinion] Prison Crowding: Saving Tax Dollars and Creating a Path to Redemption
Currently, Alabama’s recidivism rate is at 31%, which compares favorably to the national average of 34%. But Alabama can do better — and the central figure to keep in mind is that only 7% of inmates with a marketable job skill commit a second crime.
Coalition of Criminal Justice Groups Oppose HUD’s Proposed Change to Disparate Impact Rule
A coalition of criminal justice groups issued a statement today voicing opposition to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) recent proposal to amend its so-called “disparate impact” rule under the Fair Housing Act. The disparate impact rule permitted people to bring legal claims against housing policies and practices that, while not motivated by discriminatory intent, predictably harmed protected groups, including people of color.
Barron: “Quick Dips” and Other Corrections Programs
About 18 month ago, the state launched its participation in the federal Justice Reinvestment Initiative. This was an ambitious two-year effort with the goal of controlling state spending on corrections and reinvesting the money saved into alternative programs.
States Miss Chances to Help Youth in Justice System Find Work
State juvenile correctional agencies do a poor job of preparing youth in the juvenile justice system for employment, The Council of State Governments Justice Center says in a new report.
Ask the Experts: Evaluating Jumaane Williams’ Proposal to Reform Mental Health Crisis Response
Council of State Governments Behavioral Health Director Ayesha Delany-Brumsey says, “The question that needs to be answered is, if there is a call to 911 for someone in crisis, how do we respond most effectively? As of now, the only options are to send the police or EMS.”
Opinion: Epstein Suicide Highlights Staffing Crisis in U.S. Prisons and Jails
Critics sometimes refer to American prisons as “warehouses,” but that suggests that people go out the same way they came in. Recent events remind us that understaffed prisons can cause harm, not only for people who are incarcerated, but also those who work there.