The Arc

This article synthesizes findings from four recent studies examining the integrated domestic violence (IDV) court model. Based on a one family-one judge concept, the New York State court system has established more than 40 such courts across the state since 2001. These courts seek to achieve more informed judicial decision-making, fewer conflicting orders, improved service delivery to victims and their children, and a more efficient and comprehensible case processing system. Published in Domestic Violence Report. To obtain this synthesis of four recent studies on integrated domestic violence courts, click here.

This article reports findings from an investigation of 24 criminal domestic violence courts across New York State. Overall, the 24 courts achieved a modest positive impact in reducing recidivism among convicted domestic violence offenders. The 24 domestic violence courts also increased conviction rates and sentences involving jail or prison among male domestic violence defendants. Of final interest, court policies specifically designed to increase victim safety, hold offenders accountable, and reduce offender recidivism (through deterrence or rehabilitation) were instrumental in reducing recidivism. Published in Violence Against Women in 2015 and available at the following link: https://vaw.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/05/1077801215589231.abstract  

The Belmont Revitalization Project is one of many initiatives being led by the Brownsville Community Justice Center, which seeks to transform the justice system in Brownsville, reduce crime and incarceration, and strengthen public trust in justice by providing alternatives to incarceration and creating opportunities for diversion for youth and community members who come into contact with the law.

Bronx Community Solutions celebrates 10 years of providing alternatives to incarceration.

The Red Hook Community Justice Center celebrated its 15th anniversary with a party at the Brooklyn Museum on October 26, 2015. The Justice Center was created to improve public safety, to reduce the use of incarceration, and to improve relations between the justice system and the local community.

Last week, The New York Times ran an editorial, "Bold Plans for New York Courts," describing New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman's vision for justice reform in New York. 

It is estimated that unpaid child support payments in the United States exceed $110 billion. Child support cases are hard ones for courts, particularly when jobs are scarce.

Tracey L. Meares, Walton Hale Hamilton Professor of Law at Yale Law School, has written and lectured widely on crime prevention, procedural justice, and community capacity building, with an emphasis on empirical investigation. She was instrumental in developing "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a groundbreaking empirical approach to violence reduction that was documented to curtail violence in Chicago.

The Near Westside Initiative, a community-based neighborhood organization in Syracuse, New York, that promotes technology, entrepreneurship, and cultural revitalization, profiled the Near Westside Peacemaking Program in its February 2015 newsletter.  

Developed in partnership with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the Alfred Siegel Scholarship Fund honors Alfred Siegel, the Center for Court Innovation’s deputy director who passed away last year.

Each year, the Center for Court Innovation helps to reduce the use of jail in New York by providing meaningful alternatives to incarceration to tens of thousands of defendants.

A few years ago, the Center for Court Innovation opened Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights.