Policymakers who focus on recidivism as evidence of justice effectiveness are confusing a complex, bureaucratic indicator of system decision-making with a simple measure of individual behavior and rehabilitation. Recidivism is at least in part a gauge of police activity and enforcement emphasis and, because of differential policing practices in minority communities, using recidivism as a key measurement may disadvantage communities of color.
Community members in Cure Violence program try to defuse disputes before they escalate By Zolan Kanno-Youngs (@KannoYoungs) Wall Street Journal October 2, 2017 They have prior criminal records but now aim to resolve neighborhood conflicts before they turn violent. They walk neighborhood streets on a daily basis and use their connections to resolve disputes before … Continue reading ‘Interrupters’ Help Reduce Violence in New York City
With the support of the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Jack and Lewis Rudin Research Fellowships at John Jay College's Research and Evaluation Center allow graduate student researchers to participate in the Evidence Generation initiative of the Center. The initiative focuses on improving the operations and effectiveness of justice systems in New … Continue reading Jack and Lewis Rudin Research Fellowships
The Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE.org) hosted a Google Hangout (online live chat) between the director of the R&E Center, Jeffrey Butts, and Cynthia Lum from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University. The conversation covered a number of topics, including the nature of evidence-based practices, how programs or practices become evidence-based, and … Continue reading Discussing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
The need for better evidence about school-based crime prevention programs remains as urgent as it was a decade ago when evaluation research was far less available than it is today. Policymakers and practitioners deserve better information about school safety and how to ensure it.
by Natasha Haverty North Country Public Radio September 28, 2012 Even critics of [shock incarceration] agree that this kind of commitment among the staff is valuable. Jeffrey Butts directs the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College. Butts says that if the only contribution of this program is to make the staff focus on structure, and … Continue reading Special Report: A Look Inside Moriah Shock Prison
Butts, Jeffrey A. (2012). Mental Health and Drug Disorders Less Common at Early Stages of Juvenile Justice. Research and Evaluation Data Bits [2012-07]. New York, NY: Research and Evaluation Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Youth in the juvenile justice system are at higher risk for mental health disorders and substance … Continue reading Mental Health and Drug Disorders Less Common at Early Stages of Juvenile Justice
WHYY Philadelphia / "Radio Times" Research shows that young people who participate in youth court or teen court programs may have lower rates of recidivism. Adults involved in the programs attribute much of their success to the influence of positive peer pressure and the value of giving young people a voice in the process. Joining … Continue reading Youth Courts and the Value of a Jury of Their Peers
Butts, Jeffrey A. and Douglas N. Evans (2011). Resolution, Reinvestment, and Realignment: Three Strategies for Changing Juvenile Justice. New York, NY: Research and Evaluation Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. The scale of incarceration is not simply a reaction to crime. It is a policy choice. Some lawmakers invest … Continue reading Resolution, Reinvestment, and Realignment: Three Strategies for Changing Juvenile Justice
In an evaluation of inter-agency initiatives to reform human services systems, outcomes are observed at the system level rather than the individual level. The Reclaiming Futures initiative is designed to improve services and interventions for justice-involved youth.
Jeffrey A. Butts (2011). Process Evaluation of the Chicago Juvenile Intervention and Support Center. New York, NY: Research and Evaluation Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Researchers investigated the operations of a pre-court diversion program that provides services and supports to “station adjusted” (i.e., informally handled) youthful offenders after they have come into contact with … Continue reading Process Evaluation of the Chicago Juvenile Intervention and Support Center
With funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Research and Evaluation (R&E) Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice extended its program of research and technical assistance on juvenile justice realignment, or efforts to shift programs and resources for young offenders away from centralized, state-run facilities and into locally-operated, community-based, and non-residential programs. The … Continue reading Data Informed Strategies for Improving Policy and Practice
Realignment is the process of diverting offenders from state facilities and shifting interventions to community-based programs, often under the direct or indirect management of local government. Beginning in 2000, youth justice realignment attracted growing attention in New York and elsewhere due to inefficient facilities, strained budgets, and the persistent failure of the justice system to reduce recidivism. … Continue reading Realigning Youth Justice
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice collaborated with Temple University to assess the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. Initiated by the White House and announced on October 5, 2010, the National Forum brings together the U.S. Department of Justice, Department … Continue reading Assessing the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention
Policy makers and the public expect government accountability, yet the gap between ideals and actual practice remains large. The situation is especially pronounced in juvenile justice, where little is known about the impact of everyday activities. Given the growing demand for accountability, the substantial costs of juvenile justice, the potential for harm to crime victims and … Continue reading Assessing the Implementation and Efficacy of Reclaiming Futures in North Carolina
