Publications & Digital Media

The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice in partnership with communities, courts, and the people most impacted. We have worked for nearly 30 years to build safe, thriving communities by creating and operating innovative programs, conducting field-leading research, and sharing what we learn with justice systems and communities across the country.

At its most basic level, a domestic violence court is a dedicated docket that schedules all domestic-violence-related cases involving intimate partners on the same days and times. In doing so, courts recognize that domestic violence cases involving intimate partners are high-risk and present unique safety concerns. Hearing these cases at the same time allows courts to efficiently dedicate staff and resources to ensure better and safer outcomes.

Language is central to our experience, and should be an ongoing focus for anyone implementing new approaches in the criminal justice system. The way treatment court practitioners speak to and about court participants can impact their success. Research shows that language has the power to exacerbate or lessen stigma, change participants' perceptions of court and treatment, and even affect the quality of the treatment provided. Examining how team members speak to and about participants is a best practice for all treatment courts.

Public defense attorneys have a crucial role to play in addressing racial inequities in the justice system, while often feeling the effects of those inequities themselves. This report—based on a survey of 690 public defense attorneys from across the country—aims to inspire deeper reflection within public defense agencies by shedding light on how attorneys think about their role in combating racial injustice and the impact of their own identities on their work.

Public housing meets a critical need for stable, affordable homes. But for many NYCHA residents, renewing a lease or making sure you’re not overpaying can be complicated—and failing to do so can put you at risk of losing your home. This illustrated guide—created in partnership with the Center for Urban Pedagogy, designer Bo-Won Keum, and illustrator Mark Nerys—walks New Yorkers living in public housing through the steps they need to take to keep their rent affordable.

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) seeks to reduce crime and incarceration by providing court-involved participants with supportive services and by engaging the community in prevention programs. The Justice Center offers a range of programs for local youth and young adults on Staten Island, with a specialized focus on those with or at risk of justice involvement.

Technology is not an excuse for ducking the hard problem of values. When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in the justice space, we can't ignore the histories of risk assessment and electronic monitoring. With the adoption of AI already underway in criminal legal systems, the time is now for humans—not machines—to ask: What do we want to use AI for?

Community First engages community members in need who frequent the Times Square area and who come through Midtown Community Justice Center’s court and diversion programming. These individuals may be experiencing homelessness and/or need mental health or harm reduction services, benefits connections, medical treatment, or other support. A team of Community Navigators act as peer mobile case managers to address the varied needs of people in our community using a client-centered lens.

Diversion programs are key policy levers prosecutors can use to minimize traditional criminal legal system contact. Diversion strikes a balance between maintaining public safety, preserving scarce resources, and reducing future system involvement. Our guide provides an overview of the key data elements, study designs, and questions agencies seeking to assess and document program efficacy should consider.

Led by a team with lived experience and high social capital in the streets, the Street Action Network connects directly with people involved in gangs and the street economy to amplify the power of their knowledge and stories, change narratives, and create sustainable solutions to address gun violence.