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Crime and Justice Research Alliance


Incidences of urban U.S. hate crime declined slightly in 2024, but anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim crimes continued to rise

Police reports of hate crimes in 42 major US cities declined 2.7% in 2024, with anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate crimes rising 12% and 18%, respectively. Anti-Jewish hate crimes reached record levels in several cities, while anti-Asian hate crimes fell more than 14%. The upward trend is attributed to the timing of the Israel-Gaza war.

Program that aims to reduce cyclical, retaliatory gun violence saw shootings decline after prevention program in Lansing, MI

A new report by Michigan State University and Michigan Public Health Institute found that shootings in Lansing fell after the implementation of a prevention program, with some variations between years and communities. The Advance Peace Lansing program employs fellows to engage with individuals affected by gun violence.

former NIJ director proposes new framework to enhance rigor, impact of criminal justice intervention evaluations

A new framework by former NIJ director Nancy La Vigne aims to improve the effectiveness of social programs through deliberate implementation and adaptation to local contexts. The Titanium Law of Evaluation emphasizes the importance of both implementation fidelity and local context in evaluating criminal justice interventions.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Experimental Criminology·DateJan 27, 2025

Review of research on adverse childhood experiences identifies significant differences in size of effects

Researchers found significant differences in effect sizes depending on studies' approach, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of ACEs' multifaceted impacts. The study suggests a critical need for varied strategies to understand, prevent, and reduce ACEs' effects on individual development and societal well-being.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateAug 20, 2024

Re-analyzing the results of a community policing study leads to a more positive conclusion about its effects

A re-analysis of a community policing study found that increased cooperation and trust in the police lead to more crime reporting, which can inflate crime rates. This 'crime reporting sensitivity bias' must be adjusted for when evaluating the effectiveness of community policing programs.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Law and Empirical Analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

U.S. homicides by firearms concentrated among Black youth before, during, and after the start of COVID-19 pandemic

A new study examining firearm homicide deaths from 2018 to 2022 found that Black 15- to 24-year-olds were disproportionately affected, with a rate of 14 times higher than White individuals. The spike in homicides in 2020 was largely due to firearm injuries, with the largest increases occurring among Black men between 10 and 44 years old.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 23, 2024

Chicago study: Sibling contact with criminal legal system harmful to children, families

A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateApr 22, 2024

Anti-bias police training improved performance and reduced discrimination-based complaints significantly

A new study found that anti-bias training significantly improved police performance scores and reduced discrimination-based complaints. Officers who received the training had a small but significant increase in performance scores and a 50% reduction in complaints compared to those who did not receive training.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalPolicing An International Journal·DateNov 20, 2023

Analysis of cyberstalking research identifies factors associated with perpetration, victimization

A new study analyzing cyberstalking research identified sociodemographic and background factors as the largest contributors to perpetration and victimization. The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies considering overlap between offline violence and cyberviolence. Experts emphasize the importance of allocating ...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Criminal Justice·DateNov 20, 2023

COVID-19-related jail decarceration did not affect crime in California

A new study by researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Arizona found no consistent relation between COVID-19-related jail decarceration and violent or property crime in California. The study suggests that downsizing, on average, did not drive crime increases statewide, but notes limitations such as a short measurement period.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJournal of Contemporary Criminal Justice·DateOct 20, 2023

Study: Black prosecutors are more punitive toward Black and Latinx defendants than toward similarly situated white defendants

A recent study by Florida International University researchers found that Black prosecutors' decisions are more punitive towards Black and Latinx defendants, while being less punitive towards White and Asian defendants. The study aimed to understand the extent of racial disparities in prosecutorial decision-making.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateOct 4, 2022

Review of evaluations of project safe neighborhoods programs identifies gaps in literature, generally favorable outcomes

The study found that PSN programs had a statistically significant impact on reducing crime, with focused deterrence strategies being a favored approach. However, there were geographical gaps in the studies reviewed, and the researchers identified areas for future evaluators to consider.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Evaluation Journal·DateSep 6, 2022

Evidence of defendants’ adverse childhood experiences can elicit jurors’ leniency in capital trials

A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateMar 24, 2022

Experiences in prison reduce perceptions of corrections officers’ fairness, regardless of time served

A new study found that most incarcerated individuals' in-prison experiences lessen their perceptions of procedural justice and fairness, regardless of the length of time served. The research used a nationally representative sample of over 31,000 adults and examined various in-prison experiences on inmates' perceptions of staff members'...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateOct 22, 2021

Victims’ gender, race, and child status affected decisions about death penalty in Pennsylvania

A study examining Pennsylvania death penalty cases found that victim's gender and race affected every outcome. Cases with white female, male or black male victims were more likely to receive a death sentence than those with black female victims. The study also found that prosecutors were more likely to seek the death penalty in cases w...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateAug 18, 2021

Study: Incarcerated people placed in solitary confinement differ significantly from others in prison population

A new study by researchers at Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati found significant disparities among individuals placed in extended solitary confinement compared to the rest of the prison population. The study identified notable differences in mental health, education, language, race/ethnicity, and age.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateJul 15, 2021

Study: Electronic monitoring failed to reduce recidivism for girls in juvenile justice system

A new study by researchers at UC and Michigan State University found that electronic monitoring tethers failed to reduce reoffending among girls involved in the juvenile justice system. The study suggests that tethering may be harmful because it limits girls' access to treatment programs, leading to higher recidivism rates.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Evaluation Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Police officers' views before and after Ferguson counter accuracy of Ferguson effect

A longitudinal study found little support for the Ferguson Effect, a decrease in police morale and proactive policing. However, low job satisfaction and cynicism among officers were associated with reduced police activity. The study suggests addressing officers' attitudes is crucial for promoting community engagement and proactive poli...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateMar 31, 2020