Urban Institute: Justice Policy Center

Social Networks, Co-offending, and Gang Membership Among Latino Youth

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

This presentation summarizes findings from the Norms and Networks of Latino Youth project, funded by OJJDP. Youth in a small neighborhood were surveyed about their own pro-social and delinquent behaviors and their social networks. Survey respondents named 20 close contacts and answered questions about those individuals. Using social network analysis methods, we examined both personal networks and individual delinquency and the whole network (comprising all youths overlapping contacts), to analyze group behaviors related to co-offending and peer influence. The findings are relevant to developing appropriate interventions for delinquency and shed light on the efficacy of neighborhood-based interventions.

Collecting DNA from Juveniles

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Collecting DNA from Juveniles examines the laws, policies, and practices related to juvenile DNA collection in the United States. States have increasingly required juveniles - mostly those adjudicated delinquent but also some arrestees - to submit DNA samples for analysis and inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the FBI-operated national database. The report describes the issues encountered during the implementation of these laws, including the coordination challenges between the state crime labs and juvenile justice agencies, and discusses the challenges that researchers and practitioners face in assessing the effects of juvenile DNA collection on public safety outcomes.

Supportive Housing for the Disabled Reentry Population : The District of Columbia Frequent Users Service Enhancement Pilot Program

paffairs@urban.org ( Jocelyn Fontaine, Douglas Gilchrist-Scott, Aaron Horvath) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Using qualitative and quantitative data, this report discusses the history, performance, and progress of the District of Columbia Frequent Users Service Enhancement Pilot Program, implemented by the Corporation for Supportive Housing. As a supportive housing reentry program focused on disabled individuals with histories of homelessness and incarceration, the program intended to provide housing and coordinate services for 50 "frequent users" leaving the city jail. Over the first year of operations, the program successfully identified and targeted more than a dozen frequent users and linked them to supportive housing through effective cross-system coordination. Policy implications of the evaluation findings are discussed.

Implementation Evaluation of the District of Columbia Put Families First Program: Final Report

paffairs@urban.org ( Joshua Markman, Akiva Liberman, Jocelyn Fontaine) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The goal of this evaluation was to understand the planning, implementation, and execution of the Put Families First program as it is administered by Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in the District of Columbia (D.C.). The primary question is whether FFT has been implemented with high fidelity and quality, and whether there are local factors or circumstances that either facilitate or interfere with its reliable implementation. The current implementation evaluation shows promise for the effective implementation of FFT for youth at risk of out-of-home placement in D.C. For those who do complete the program, implementation is generally close to program benchmarks and showing improvement.

Preventing Violence and Sexual Assault in Jail: A situational Crime Prevention Approach

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Jail Sexual Assault Prevention project tests the application of violence reduction strategies informed by situational crime prevention (SCP) theory within three jail facilities. The project collected and synthesized data from multiple sources in order to identify and implement interventions to address each facilitys unique safety challenges: an officer tour system in Site A, a recording camera system in Site B, and crisis intervention training at Site C. The brief provides summary findings on the safety impacts and cost effectiveness of each intervention and discusses the utility of a SCP framework in addressing correctional violence.

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Payment Study

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

When the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized in 2005, it mandated that states receiving STOP funding provide free sexual assault forensic exams (SAFEs) to sexual assault victims and allow victims to receive exams without having to report the assault to law enforcement. States were given until January 5, 2009, to fully comply with the mandate. This presentation includes background information on the reauthorization and the study design, along with preliminary findings from a review of statutory and administrative codes on SAFE payment practices and from national surveys administered to state STOP administrators, compensation administrators, and state coalitions.

Evaluation of Camera Use to Prevent Crime in Commuter Parking Facilities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

paffairs@urban.org ( Nancy G. La Vigne, Samantha S. Lowry) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report evaluates the use of cameras to reduce car-related crimes in Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) commuter parking facilities. Using a randomized controlled trial design, digital motion-activated cameras (akin to red light cameras) were installed at the exits of 25 Metro parking facilities, which were matched with 25 parking facilities serving as controls. Findings suggest that the cameras were not effective in reducing crime, and no evidence of displacement was found. Researchers concluded that cameras might have yielded their intended crime control impact if they had real-time surveillance capabilities and were fully employed for investigative purposes.

Social Impact Bonds: Key Implementation Issues

paffairs@urban.org ( P. Mitchell Downey, John Roman) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

State and local governments often struggle to implement evidence-based programs because of high upfront costs, even when research shows these programs to be cost-effective in the long run. Social impact bonds (SIBs) are an innovative way of attracting private funding for program implementation by offering a financial return to investors. But can social impact bonds really be used in the US to increase evidence-based programming? In this presentation, we present some key ideas behind social impact bonds, discuss challenges in getting them off the ground, and show how ongoing Urban Institute work can be used to establish the SIB market.

Evaluation of Cameras to Prevent Crime in Commuter Parking Facilities: A Summary

paffairs@urban.org ( Nancy G. La Vigne, Samantha S. Lowry) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Impact & Influence: The Role of Local Jurisdictions in Managing Prison Population Size

paffairs@urban.org ( Elizabeth Davies) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This white paper discusses how state efforts to reduce the growth of prison populations can affect local criminal justice systems. Although these state strategies which typically focus on policies governing sentencing, inmate release and transfer, and supervision violation response - have the potential to greatly benefit both the offender and the community, they can strain the resources and capacity of jails, supervision officers, and community-based providers. Likewise, local actors may respond to these strategies with policies and practices that conflict with state prison population management efforts. Recommendations on how state and local stakeholders can avoid these unintended outcomes are provided.

Surveying the Field: State-Level Findings from the 2008 Parole Practices Survey

paffairs@urban.org ( Jesse Jannetta, Aaron Horvath) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Parole supervision is the key mechanism facilitating the return of prisoners to the community. To examine the current state of parole practice, the Urban Institute conducted a survey of parole supervision field offices. In this report, the authors examine survey results at the state level to supplement and extend the national-level analysis presented in the previously released An Evolving Field. This analysis provides a more nuanced view of parole practices and, despite differences in population and structure of justice systems, shows the varying strengths, weaknesses, and similarities across states.

Y2 Final Report: Evaluation of the Los Angeles Gang Reduction and Youth Development

paffairs@urban.org ( Terry Dunworth, David Hayeslip, Megan Denver) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

In April 2009 the Urban Institute (Washington, D.C), in partnership with Harder+Company (Los Angeles, CA), was contracted by the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles to conduct a multi-year evaluation of the Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program (GRYD).This is the second report of the evaluation.It builds upon the process and preliminary outcome findings reported in 2010, and extends them through April, 2011.

Impact of Family-Inclusive Case Management on Reentry Outcomes: Interim Report on the Safer Return Demonstration Evaluation

paffairs@urban.org ( Jocelyn Fontaine, Douglas Gilchrist-Scott, Megan Denver) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This interim report details the first two years of the Urban Institute's evaluation of the family-inclusive case management component of the Safer Return Demonstrationa reentry program based in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood. The report presents the logic of the case management model and summarizes family members and formerly incarcerated persons experiences and perceptions, based on interviews and focus groups. In general, family members were highly supportive of returning prisoners and, despite a typically disadvantaged socioeconomic status, provided substantial material support to their returning family members, particularly housing.The implications of these findings for the Demonstration and reentry planning are discussed.

Evaluating the Use of Public Surveillance Cameras for Crime Control and Prevention - A Summary

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

A growing number of cities are using surveillance cameras to reduce crime, but little research exists to determine whether theyre worth the cost. With jurisdictions across the country tightening their belts, public safety resources are scarceand policymakers need to know which potential investments are likely to bear fruit. This research brief summarizes the Urban Institute's series documenting three cities use of public surveillance cameras and how they impacted crime in their neighborhoods.

Using Public Surveillance Systems for Crime Control and Prevention: A Practical Guide for Law Enforcement and Their Municipal Partners

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This publication is designed to guide city administrators, law enforcement agencies, and their municipal partners inimplementing and employing public surveillance systems in a manner that will have the greatest impact on public safety. It details the various aspects of a system that are integral inyielding a cost-beneficial impact on crime, including budgetary considerations, camera types and locations, how best to monitor cameras, and the role that video footage plays in investigations and prosecutions. It also highlights the most prominent lessons learned in an effort to guide city administrators and jurisdictions that are currently investing in cameras for public safety purposes, as well as to inform those that are contemplating doing so.

Evaluating the Use of Public Surveillance Cameras for Crime Control and Prevention

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report summarizes the results of an evaluation ofpublic surveillance systems in Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., examining how systems in each of these jurisdictions were selected and implemented and assessing the degree to which they achieved their intended crime prevention impact. The study also explored whether surveillance cameras displaced crime or yielded a diffusion of benefits to areas just beyond the cameras reach, and included a cost-benefit analysis component in two of the three study sites. Findings indicate that in places where cameras were sufficiently concentrated and routinely monitored by trained staff, the impact on crime was significant and cost-beneficial, with no evidence of crime displacement.

Surveillance Cameras Cost-Effective Tools for Cutting Crime, 3-Year Study Concludes

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Between 2007 and 2010, researchers from the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center studied public surveillance systems in Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., to measure the extent of their use, their effects on crime, their other benefits, and their costs. While results varied by area, surveillance systems in Baltimore and Chicago produced more than enough benefits to justify their costs. No cost-benefit analysis was conducted in Washington, D.C., because the cameras didn't show a statistically significant impact on crime there.

Evaluation of a Situational Crime Prevention Approach in Three Jails: The Jail Sexual Assault Prevention Project

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Jail Sexual Assault Prevention project tests the application of violence reduction strategies informed by situational crime prevention theory (SCP) within three jail facilities. The project collected and synthesized data from multiple sources in order to identify and implement interventions to address each facility's unique safety challenges: an officer tour system in Site A, a recording camera system in Site B, and crisis intervention training at Site C. The report provides findings on the safety impacts and cost effectiveness of each intervention and discusses the utility of a SCP framework in addressing correctional violence.

Movin' Out: Crime and HUD's HOPE VI Initiative

paffairs@urban.org ( Meagan Cahill, Samantha S. Lowry, P. Mitchell Downey) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

This research evaluated the impact on crime of the closing, redevelopment, and subsequent reopening of three public housing developments in Milwaukee, Wis., and Washington, D.C., under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s HOPE VI initiative. We found a clear indication in all three sites that crime dropped at some point during redevelopment and we generally observed a diffusion of benefits from the redeveloped sites outward. The findings suggest that large-scale public housing redevelopment initiatives like HOPE VI can create a diffusion of benefits to nearby areas, which may also experience reductions in crime levels.

Tribal Youth in the Federal Justice System

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Using 1999-2008 data from the Federal Justice Statistics Program and interviews with federal and tribal officials, this report describes the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of juveniles handled at each stage of the federal justice system. Although juvenile cases are rare in the federal system, over the ten year period about half of all juveniles were tribal youth. The report explores the jurisdictional complexities that help explain why tribal youth cases enter the federal system. Tribal and non-tribal juvenile cases differed in significant ways: most tribal youth cases involved violent offenses, while most non-tribal cases involved public order and drug offenses; and tribal youth were more likely to be adjudicated delinquent, while non-tribal youth were more likely to be prosecuted as adults.

Enhancing Supervision and Support for Released Prisoners : A Documentation and Evaluation of the Community Supervision Mapping System

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report describes the Community Supervision Mapping System (CSMS), an online tool that enables users to map the formerly incarcerated and others on probation, along with related data such as service provider locations and police districts. CSMS was developed by The Providence Plan and piloted in Rhode Island in 2008. It was designed to be a user-friendly, low-cost software package that could be easily replicated in other jurisdictions. This report documents the mapping systems development and its implementation by probation officers and law enforcement, and includes a process and initial outcome evaluation. In addition, lessons learned are synthesized to offer guidance to jurisdictions seeking to adopt a geographically-informed approach to prisoner reentry.

Drug Courts Can Reduce Substance Use and Crime, Five-Year Study Shows, But Effectiveness Hinges on the Judge

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

The most extensive study of drug courts-a five-year examination of 23 courts and six comparison jurisdictions in eight statesfound that these court programs can significantly decrease drug use and criminal behavior, with positive outcomes ramping upward as participants sensed their judge treated them more fairly, showed greater respect and interest in them, and gave them more chances to talk during courtroom proceedings.

Promoting Partnerships between Police and Community Supervision Agencies : How Coordination Can Reduce Crime and Improve Public Safety

paffairs@urban.org ( Jesse Jannetta, Pamela Lachman) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Intended for all levels of law enforcement and community supervision personnel, Promoting Partnerships between Police and Community Supervision Agencies describes how these organizations build partnerships to enhance public safety. The first section of this guidebook discusses the various contributions and benefits each agency can bring to a partnership; the second discusses the key elements of partnership; and the third identifies challenges both agencies might encounter. Provided throughout the guidebook, examples of partnerships in the field offer tangible illustrations of how police and community supervision collaboration can be structured.

The Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation: Study Overview and Design (Pre-Production) : Volume 1

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Volume 1 from the National Institute of Justice's Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation provides information about the studys context and objectives; a review of the literature; a description of the research design, data collection, and analytic strategies; and a description of the characteristics of study participants. The outcome evaluation included 1,781 offenders across 23 drug court and six comparison sites which represented several alternative ways the criminal justice system works with druginvolved offenders in jurisdictions without drug courts. Volume 1 also provides lessons learned in recruiting and retaining drug and criminal justice involvedoffenders in longitudinal survey research.

The Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation: What's Happening with Drug Courts? A Portrait of Adult Drug Courts in 2004 (Pre-Production) : Volume 2

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Volume 2 from the National Institute of Justice's Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation provides information from 380 adult drug courts surveyed in 2004. It describes drug court program characteristics and operations, such as: most courts operate small programs with less than 50 participants; more than half of courts require both an eligible charge and a clinical assessment for participants to enroll; and courts that have been in operation for a longer time more often use a diversion model, whereby clients enroll in the program before entering pleas, than do younger courts. Drug courts were also classified into profiles of programming characteristics.

The Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation: The Drug Court Experience (Pre-Production) : Volume 3

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Volume 3 from the National Institute of Justice's Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) provides process evaluation findings about the 23 drug courts included in the MADCE outcome evaluation, and information about participant receipt of program services including drug court supervision (contact with judges and attorneys; case management; drug testing; and sanctions and incentives) and treatment. It also describes drug court participants' outcomes related to offender attitudes and to drug court retention. Participants' perceptions of procedural justice, distributive justice, and severity of the sentence to be imposed upon drug court failure significantly predicted program compliance, criminal behavior, and drug use at followup.

The Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation: The Impact of Drug Courts (Pre-Production) : Volume 4

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Volume 4 from the National Institute of Justice's Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) provides findings from the outcome evaluation answering the questions, "do drug courts work", "for whom do drug courts work," and "what are the mechanisms by which drug courts work", as well as provides findings from the costbenefit study. The outcome evaluation found that drug courts prevent crime and substance use and work equally well for most participant subgroups. Effects are greatest among participants whose judges who spend time with them, support them, and treat them with respect. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are also discussed.

The Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation: Executive Summary (Pre-Production)

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

The National Institute of Justice's Multi-site Adult Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) tested whether drug courts reduce drug use, crime, and associated problems; assessed how drug courts work and for whom; examined how changes in participant attitudes and behaviors explain effectiveness; and determined whether drug courts generate cost savings. The evaluation found that drug courts prevent crime and substance use and work equally well for most participant subgroups. Effects are greatest among participants whose judges who spend time with them, support them, and treat them with respect. Methodology and implications for policy and practice are also discussed.

Strategic Plan for a Collaborative Neighborhood-Based Crime Prevention Initiative

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

A promising approach to reducing and preventing crime at the neighborhood level involves addressing both immediate and long-term risk factors for crime. This strategic plan outlines a collaborative Neighborhood-Based Crime Prevention Initiative (NCPI) that combines law enforcement-led crime suppression activities with human and social service efforts to address longer-term risk factors for crime. This plan focuses on the initiative's structure, and data and administrative requirements. Objectives, associated suppression and prevention activities, and performance measures are related to initiative goals and measurable crime outcomes. This sets the stage for an initiative that could be monitored and ultimately evaluated.

The District of Columbia Mayor's Focused Improvement Area Initiative: A Review of Past Practice

paffairs@urban.org ( Jocelyn Fontaine, Joshua Markman) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

In partnership with local agencies, the DC Mayor launched the Focused Improvement Area Initiative in select high-crime areas. The Initiative aimed to reduce crime and increase the quality of life in at-risk communities by combining community policing with human and social services delivery. This report reviews the Initiative's past efforts based on stakeholder interviews, programmatic materials, administrative records, and field observations. While many aspects of the Initiative were implemented as designed, it was not designed in such a way as to ensure sustained interagency, collaborative efforts focused on measuring and addressing outcomes. The report concludes with considerations for next steps.

Using Lessons from Recent Innovations to Create a Holistic Approach to Intervening with Juveniles : Testimony before the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Human Services

paffairs@urban.org ( John Roman) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Innovative practices - such as the Reclaiming Futures initiative, drug courts, and Project HOPE - can be used to better serve juveniles involved with the justice system and to improve public safety, the Urban Institute's John Roman told a committee of the District of Columbia's city council.

Serious Adolescent Offenders, Placements, and Outcomes : Testimony before the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Human Services

paffairs@urban.org ( Akiva Liberman) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

To understand better how youth in juvenile justice are doing under alternative policies and placements, improved access to data from all relevant agencies is needed, concluded Akiva Liberman at a hearing of a District of Columbia city council committee. Liberman is a senior adviser at the D.C. Crime Policy Institute.

The District of Columbia Mayor's Focused Improvement Area Initiative: Review of the Literature Relevant to Collaborative Crime Reduction

paffairs@urban.org ( Jesse Jannetta, Megan Denver, Additional Authors) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

This document presents the results of a literature review on approaches to reducing crime and improving neighborhoods that were intended to produce community-level impacts, involved multiple approaches, and were carried out by cross-agency partnerships. The review included efforts focused solely on reducing or preventing crime as well as efforts with broader goals concerning improving neighborhood or resident well-being. The first section covers programmatic elements of initiatives: the strategies, interventions, and activities that successful efforts have employed. The second section covers process and structural elements, with subsections devoted to interagency collaboration, community engagement, and sustainability.

The Bond Market and Public Safety

paffairs@urban.org ( John Roman, Jeffrey A. Butts) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

At least 40 states face swelling budget deficits. Likely targets for reductions include the discretionary social programs that protect public safety. Rather than jeopardize the publics safety and well-being with imprudent cuts, a different and better way out of the financing crunch is explained by two criminologists: the social impact bond.

The Elected Official's Toolkit for Jail Reentry

paffairs@urban.org ( Jesse Jannetta, Hannah Dodd, Brian Elderbroom) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Nine million individuals are released from local jails each year, many struggling with mental illness, homelessness, and substance abuse. Jail reentry initiatives work to address these needs, thereby reducing both recidivism and criminal justice costs.The Elected Official's Toolkit for Jail Reentry provides information and resources for local elected officials interested in launching or expanding a jail reentry initiative. The Toolkit includes an overview of jail reentry, first steps for developing a context-appropriate jail reentry initiative, essential facts and data to engage stakeholders, sample legislation, profiles of elected officials who have championed jail reentry, and a guide to additional resources.

Evaluation of the Los Angeles Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program: Zone Profiles

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Additional Authors) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

As part of an evaluation of the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program, the Urban Institute and Harder+Company Community Research documented activities for 12 GRYD zones and developed a profile for each zone. These zone profiles cover the period from initial contracts (2008/2009) to mid-2010 and are intended to complement a separate report, Evaluation of the Los Angeles Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program: Y1 Report. The profiles provide background information on relevant geographic features of the zone; present information on zone demographics; summarize what is known about gang activity in the zone; and report on the prevention, intervention, and crisis intervention components of GRYD.

The Net Benefits of Drug Court

paffairs@urban.org ( P. Mitchell Downey, John Roman) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

More than a dozen cost-benefit analyses have been conducted on drug courts in the last decade. We build on these findings and extend them in several ways: 1) a larger sample allows us to draw inferences from a large sample of individuals (nearly 1,800) and courts (23); 2) survey data on a number of domains which have never been included in past analyses (such as employment, hospital use, homeless shelter use, mental health treatment, and many more) increases the range of program costs and benefits considered; 3) we employ statistical techniques less common in criminal justice cost-benefit analyses, although not new, to identify individual characteristics which make drug court most cost-effective; and 4) we separately analyze each drug courts cost effectiveness to draw inferences about which drug courts are and are not cost effective under different combinations of price structures, program design, and offender population characteristics

Do Adult Drug Courts Work? Drug, Crime and Other Psychosocial Outcomes

paffairs@urban.org ( Dana Kralstein) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This presentation includes findings from both the offender surveys conducted for the MADCE and the 24-month post-enrollment criminal justice records. One focus will be on reporting substance abuse impacts. Using 6- and 18-month follow-up survey data and oral test results, we will report on 1) the trajectory of recovery and 2) whether, and for whom, drug courts work in terms of reducing drug use. The other primary theme will use the survey and administrative records to address 1) whether drug courts impact crime and incarceration, 2) to what extent these effects are durable over time, and 3) whether drug courts are most effective for high- or low-risk offenders.

How Do Drug Courts Work?

paffairs@urban.org ( John Roman, Jennifer Yahner, Janine M. Zweig) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This presentation investigates the factors enhancing the success of drug courts through an empirical evaluation of drug courts effects on desistance, focusing on three key criminological theories: deterrence theory, procedural justice theory, and life-course theory. Using a quasi-experimental sample of 1781 individuals across 23 courts and 6 comparison jurisdictions in 8 states, the presentation employs multiple structural equation modeling and path analysis to determine and contrast the effects of official supervision and sanctions, procedural justice, and substance abuse treatment on drug court participants and their efficacy in reducing substance abuse. The paper uses principal component analysis to indicate the most critical factors that facilitate compliance from drug court participants; this approach is intended to link criminological theory to practice, as well as to offer guidance on where efforts should be concentrated in the design of public policy.

Drug Court Policies and Practices and How They Relate to Offender Outcomes

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This presentation documents how key drug court policies and practices influence participants' outcomes related to relapse and recidivism. The policies and practices include those related to treatment, leverage, judicial supervision, judicial interaction, case management, drug testing, sanctions, rewards, and graduation requirements. It addresses the following critical research issues: 1) how policies, practices, and courtroom experiences vary across drug court programs; 2) which policies, practices, and courtroom experiences make drug courts more or less effective; and 3) whether combining particular sets of policies and practices leads to even greater success for program participants.

Experts Say Cross-Disciplinary Research and Interventions are Needed to Better Care for Children of Incarcerated Parents

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

More than 1.7 million American children are separated from an imprisoned parent. Millions more have parents in jail. For these children, the risk of behavioral problems, attachment insecurity, poverty, cognitive delays, and other negative outcomes is elevated. But by how much? How many are able to overcome these challenges? And what public policies give them the best chance of persevering? The scholars contributing to Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners, published today by the Urban Institute Press, say it has taken decades to accumulate a body of scientific knowledge about these children, because most practitioners and researchers who gather this information work in isolation.

Small Number of Blocks Account for Lots of Crime in DC

paffairs@urban.org ( Meagan Cahill, John Roman) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This brief looks at crime at the Census block level. Most crime is concentrated in a relatively small number of blocks in the Districtin any given year, more than one-quarter of the crimes occur in just five percent of the blocks. The largest clusters of high crime blocks are found in the center of the city and on the eastern edge of the city, in the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Police Districts.

Evaluation of the Los Angeles Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program: Final Y1 Report

paffairs@urban.org ( Terry Dunworth, David Hayeslip, Morgan Lyons, Megan Denver) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This report documents the first 15-month period of the Los Angeles Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program evaluation. GRYD is a gang prevention and intervention program that was implemented in 2008-2009 in 16 Los Angeles neighborhoods. This document reviews the GRYD program's origins, initial implementation, and the evolving development of GRYD practices and procedures in 12 of the neighborhoods. The report presents the original program evaluation design and methodology, evaluation challenges and delays, evaluation activities, and proposed next steps. Initial findings include encouraging results from a pilot retest of youth who received GRYD services.

Experts Demonstrate that Cost-Benefit Analysis Can Lead to Better Crime Control

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Crime Control examines the flow of decisions that go into designing, conducting and applying cost-benefit analysis to crime control programs. The criminal justice experts contributing to the book say the use of cost-benefit analysis for crime control is still a nascent tool, but a promising one worthy of further methodological development.

Past, Present, and Future of Juvenile Justice: Assessing the Policy Options (APO)

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

This report presents the results of research that examined changing trends in juvenile justice legislation and surveyed juvenile justice professionals across the nation to measure their impressions of recent juvenile justice policy reforms. Researchers learned there is considerable consensus among diverse practitioner groups, with survey respondents viewing rehabilitative programs as more effective than punitive ones - a perspective consistent with recent legislative trends. Together, these data suggest the policy pendulum is swinging toward more progressive measures after years of "get tough" reforms.

Justice Reinvestment at the Local Level Planning and Implementation Guide

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

This guidebook provides instruction for local leaders aiming to improve the efficiency oftheir justice systems by managing and allocating scarce resources more cost-effectivelyandgenerating savings that can be reinvested inprevention-oriented strategies. It describes the steps involved in this justice reinvestment process, the challenges that may be encountered, andhow those challenges can be overcome. While the intended audience is local county and city managers and their criminal justice leaders, this document is designed to be accessible to a wide array of local government stakeholders, along with criminal justice practitioners, consultants, and researchers.

Motor Vehicle Thefts in the District of Columbia

paffairs@urban.org ( Meagan Cahill, John Roman) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Over the past 50 years, nationwide rates of motor vehicle thefts rose slowly and steadily to a peak in 1990 and then declined to a low in 2009. Rates in Washington, D.C. were higher and more volatile, averaging three to four times the national rate for two decades. Recently, however, rates in D.C. dropped to their lowest level in 25 years. While the Sixth Police District (6D) had the highest rates and counts of motor vehicle theft over the study period, the Seventh Police District (7D) had the largest percentage increase. Hot spots in 6D were located along major thoroughfares.

Evaluation of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Corporation for Supportive Housing's Pilot Program: Interim Re-Arrest Analysis

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Corporation for Supportive Housing Ohio Office developed a pilot program that provides permanent supportive housing to individuals released from several Ohio prisons. The Pilot intends to reduce recidivism and homelessness/shelter usage and decrease the costs associated with multiple service system use. The Urban Institute is evaluating the Pilot to determine whether it is meeting its intended goals. This Interim Report discusses the results of a re-arrest analysis, comparing the outcomes of individuals who received permanent supportive housing to those who did not. Implications from the analysis are also discussed.

Partnering with Jails to Improve Reentry: A Guidebook for Community-Based Organizations

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

A wide variety of community organizations have the skills, resources, and motivation needed to address the challenges of jail reentry, including substance abuse treatment providers, homeless shelters, workforce development centers, neighborhood clinics, community colleges, and many others. This guidebook provides community-based organizations with an overview of jail reentry and concrete steps to develop and sustain a reentry partnership with their local jail. It also addresses difficulties that might arise, and provides examples of strong partnerships between CBOs and jails that serve as models.

Violence Prevention in Schools: A Case Study of the Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

This report is based on research conducted by the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center on the violence prevention activities taking place at the Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School during the 2008-2009 school year. Based on an assessment of the school's violence prevention approach using qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholder interviews, field observations, programmatic records, and surveys with students and faculty, this report includes: a logic model of the school's violence prevention approach; detailed information on each of the violence prevention activities within the violence prevention approach and how they compare to national best practices; student and faculty perceptions of the school climate and the violence prevention approach; and recommendations to the school administrators on how to strengthen their violence prevention approach based on the assessment findings. The report concludes with brief remarks on next steps in school violence prevention research.