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Justice Reinvestment Initiative

Justice Reinvestment Initiative Assessment Center

On December 5–6, 2023, criminal justice and state leaders from across the country gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for the National Summit to Advance States’ Criminal Justice Priorities. The event provided an opportunity to hear from leaders and practitioners and learn about ways to tackle today’s most pressing criminal justice issues.

At the summit, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced the launch of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) Assessment Center, or JAC, to provide states with a multitude of opportunities to engage with data and research to better understand and address their most pressing criminal justice challenges.

As part of the JAC, and with BJA approval, the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) and The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center are available to offer states different types of technical assistance, including the following:

  1. In-state meetings and assessment from CJI or the CSG Justice Center to explore the viability of a JRI engagement in your state
  2. Targeted, short-term technical assistance to identify and better understand specific challenges or assist areas for improvement
  3. Tailored presentations or briefings before key state entities (such as executive branch bodies, legislative committees, statewide associations, statewide task forces, or working groups) to discuss your state’s criminal justice challenges and effective criminal justice practices
  4. Participation in convenings and events (facilitation, speaking on panels, etc.) to bring together system stakeholders and discuss a specific issue or generate interest in justice system improvements
  5. Additional research and information on state and local policy and practice challenges and changes covered during the summit

For more information about bringing these opportunities to your state, please contact:

Paul Nichols
Deputy Program Director, State Initiatives Division
The CSG Justice Center
pnichols@csg.org

Or

Leonard W. Engel, Esq.
Director of Policy and Campaigns
Crime and Justice Institute
A division of Community Resources for Justice
lengel@cjinstitute.org

For more information about the JAC or any of the above opportunities, you may also contact the Bureau of Justice Assistance:

Jeff Locke
Senior Policy Advisor
Jeffrey.Locke@usdoj.gov

Or

Ben Shelor
Senior Policy Advisor
Robert.Shelor@usdoj.gov

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