Public Works Partners’ Post

The NYU Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab collaborated with the Center for Justice Innovation on an exploratory research project examining policy and program innovations at the intersection of housing and criminal justice. We conducted a landscape scan of more than 50 programs that collaborate across agencies to disrupt the link between justice involvement and housing instability across the United States. A few examples of programs include: ◾Georgia’s Accountability Court Program which was established to "provide effective alternatives to sentencing for nonviolent offenders and reduce the state's prison population." ◾Operation New Hope which collaborates with Florida's Department of Corrections to provide pre-release services in 29 correctional facilities. ◾Delaware's Family Reentry Program allows returning citizens to live with family in Public Housing Authority properties on a one- or two-year basis, with the option of becoming a permanent part of the lease. Read about these and more from our landscape scan here ➡️

As we continue to push for the closure of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake, we must also recognize the necessity of shifting away from incarcerating children –  which is ineffective, costly, and traumatizing – and embrace proven, community-based models of rehabilitation that strengthen public safety, allow youth to take accountability for the harm they caused and work to repair it, and give young people the support they need to grow and thrive.   https://lnkd.in/gCEaTQF4

"The ins and outs of Motley’s study may look different if Truth had not met Dan and Andrea D. at a talk at the Harvard Club of Boston.  The Delaneys, a husband and wife team, run the Delaney Policy Group, a lobbying firm that helps clients access public funding. When Truth asked a question after the talk, wanting to know how to translate his initial findings into public policy, Andrea told him, “This is exactly what we do.” We're very proud at the Delaney Policy Group (DPG) to have been able to help advance the groundbreaking study by Truth (Sean Evelyn) and Professor Robert Motley! As the only state-certified #MBE government relations firm in Massachusetts, we recognize many of the policy needs and opportunities that others may miss. https://lnkd.in/eR5dTW_f Erika Uyterhoeven Jamie Eldridge Michael Coelho Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts Transformational Prison Project Massachusetts House of Representatives Massachusetts State Senate Adam Gomez Sr. Will Brownsberger Steve Tompkins Middlesex Sheriff's Office SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Massachusetts Department of Correction Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Suffolk County District Attorney's Office (Massachusetts) Boston NAACP James ‘Jimmy’ Hills Boston College School of Social Work City of Boston Mayor's Office of Returning Citizens Black on Beacon Hill National Black Professional Lobbyists Association Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Inc. Rebecca Zlotowicz Christopher Worrell Jason Kornwitz #criminaljusticepolicy #incarcerationreform #mapoli #bospoli #lobbying #racialjustice #criminaljusticereform

🔍 The journey from "nothing works" to embracing Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) in corrections has been significant. But is it enough? Dr Frank Porporino, Ph.D.'s article in the 12th edition of JUSTICE TRENDS explores this topic, highlighting that while EBPs have structured our efforts, they often fall short in creating a truly rehabilitative experience.🌱 ✅ It's time to go beyond checklists and techniques—considering the social, interpersonal, and environmental factors that can truly support change. 👇Read the full article to learn more about creating correctional environments that not only manage risk but actively foster desistance and personal growth: https://loom.ly/A7ojNhU

We are pleased to launch our latest policy report: JUSTICE+ Why England and Wales need Holistic Defence in the criminal justice system. The paper covers the latest research on why holistic interventions at the outset of criminal cases can: • Prevent people in crisis from being criminalised by addressing their underlying needs • Reduce incarceration costs • Avoid wrongful convictions • Reduce recidivism, and • Increase efficiency and productivity in the criminal litigation process We need to think afresh about the paucity of preventative approaches in criminal justice and how we can meaningfully reduce swathes of lower-level crimes by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable people in society. The Labour party has experience of introducing new integrated ways of working, such as the Sure Start network of children’s centres, which showed that bravery and boldness in holistic public programming can yield effective outcomes. It is time to turn the corner away from crisis and towards delivering a true public good. Please share / retweet so more people in the justice system can learn about Holistic Defence (https://shorturl.at/PrzHz)

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he outlines how humans need the essentials - food, water, shelter, and air - before they can move toward higher thinking, achievement, and developing community. In this article, John J. Lennon explores the challenges people with criminal histories face when looking for a place to call home.

This article helps explain why we have a youth justice program that includes, "healing and rehabilitation through what [is called] a "circle," bringing together victims, offenders and community members." Read the full Star Tribune article here: https://bit.ly/49oZkf8

Alongside the Boston College Civil Rights Clinic and Holland & Knight, we've filed an important new class action lawsuit against the MA Department of Correction on behalf of hundreds of people currently confined in long-term solitary conditions. For years after the passage of criminal justice reforms, DOC has continued the unlawful use of isolation by merely renaming their solitary units. Our clients spend nearly 24 hours a day locked inside concrete cells the size of parking spaces with almost no human contact or programming. This has led to profound psychological and physical harm for many. We aim to put a stop to these inhumane and draconian practices that violate state and federal law through this legal action. As the article in the Boston Globe details, legislators have already visited one such solitary unit and agreed the conditions are "unconscionable." It's time for real change. We'll continue fighting through the courts to enforce prisoners' rights and compel DOC to finally align with the legislature's intent to end prolonged solitary confinement for good. Stay tuned for updates on this important case. https://lnkd.in/eB8HwQVF

The MODERN Justice Task Force report and its 15 data-driven recommendations to improve Oklahoma’s justice system could not have happened without the leadership and support of Governor Kevin Stitt, Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest, Speaker of the House Charles McCall, Administrative Director of the Courts Jari Askins, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, and many others including CJI’s Oklahoma Policy Team. With the 2024 legislative session underway, Oklahoma’s legislators now have a data-packed report at their fingertips as they make policy decisions that will impact their state’s criminal justice system and thousands of justice-impacted Oklahomans.   https://lnkd.in/gdXuuq4d #okleg #JusticeReinvestmentInitiative #oklahoma