About
An initiative of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Justice Lab leverages the expertise of DCJS staff and other state agency partners who understand policy and practice; data maintained by agencies; and their data collection systems. The lab uses this subject-matter expertise to analyze and seek to answer questions about the impacts of justice policies in New York State and builds upon the agency’s commitment to promoting evidence-based policymaking to improve the justice system. The Justice Lab has:
- Bona fide researchers and research organizations to handle projects contracted through the Justice Lab.
- Review Panels consisting of researchers and practitioners who have experience and data, analytic and/or subject-matter expertise on the topic of the study.
- Pre-Analysis Plans that describe all aspects of the proposed research project before the analysis begins.
The scope of a project will determine whether a review panel and/or pre-analysis plan is required. Review these FAQs and watch this webinar for more information.
Affiliates
Justice Lab Affiliates are individuals with subject matter, research, and/or methodological expertise in a topic. Affiliates can participate as Research Partners conducting research on behalf of the Justice Lab or as Review Panel members who provide feedback on pre-analysis plans and reports. Affiliates may be invited to participate on projects based on their subject-matter expertise, analytic expertise, and/or lived experience. The Justice Lab seeks to incorporate the voice of the community being studied to the extent practicable.
Submit your information to join the Justice Lab.
Pre-Analysis Plans
A pre-analysis plan describes all aspects of the proposed research project before the analysis begins. The plan may include, but is not limited to, the research questions to be asked, proposed data sources and proposed methodologies. Research partners conducting projects through the Justice Lab will submit pre-analysis plans for review and approval by Review Panels. Review Panels will include members who have research and/or practical expertise and experience in the topic being studied.
Approved pre-analysis plans will be published on this site.
Projects
The Justice Lab is conducting the following research:
Outcome Analysis of Alternative to Incarceration and Re-Entry Programs
- This two-year project will provide a comprehensive analysis of criminal justice and select program outcomes for alternatives to incarceration and re-entry program models funded by DCJS.
The Intersection of Violent Victimization and Offending
- This three-year project will examine the overlap between individuals seeking hospital treatment for firearm and other violent injuries and individuals arrested for violent crimes. Results will help to understand the extent to which individuals who commit violent acts are also victims of previous violence and will be used to inform programs to reduce gun violence.
New York State Regional Deprivation Index
- The Regional Deprivation Index (RDI) measures socioeconomic disadvantage within New York State, developed by the Justice Lab in collaboration with the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics. This RDI dashboard allows users to view socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage in New York City and non-New York City (the 57 counties outside of the five boroughs).
High Utilizers in the Criminal Justice System
- This three-year project will conduct a comprehensive analysis of “high utilizers” in the justice system: those individuals who repeatedly cycle through state or local criminal justice agencies. The project will define high utilizer and explore background characteristics and future involvement in the criminal justice system. Results will be shared with policy makers and programs to help inform programming and policies to reduce frequent involvement in the justice system.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Felony Case Processing
This analysis examines racial and ethnic disparities in felony arrests and their disposition outcomes. It also examines differences in court case outcomes and prison sentences among individuals who appeared to be facing mandatory prison charges at arraignment.
New York State Criminal Justice Footprint
This Criminal Justice Footprint project presents long-term and recent 10-year trends in crime across New York State, including Index crime, violent crime, and homicides. It also highlights shooting trends, such as violent crimes involving firearms, shooting incidents in New York City and large jurisdictions, and felony firearm arrest rates by age group. The project also examines criminal justice case processing and outcomes, including adult arrests, arraignments, and case dispositions. Finally, it provides an overview of justice-involved populations at various points in the system.
Contact Justice Lab
Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
80 South Swan St.
Albany, N.Y. 12210