The ICJIA Research & Analysis newsletter is published quarterly and highlights the work of the Research & Analysis Unit. Over 30 dedicated researchers work to improve the administration of justice and inform policy and practice in criminal justice, victim services, and violence prevention.

Illinois’ prison work release centers, called Adult Transition Centers (ATCs), connect incarcerated people to vocational opportunities to support successful community reentry. As part of a larger process and outcome evaluation of Illinois ATCs, we conducted 16 interviews with Illinois Department of Corrections administrators and ATC program staff to understand their perceptions about ATC operations and purpose as well as their perspectives on ATC effectiveness, strengths, and weaknesses. Participants noted that ATCs offer individualized behavioral health treatment, build educational and vocational skills, and provide promising employment prospects upon release. Interviewees believed they fostered positive relationships with work release participants, contributing to their success. However, interviewees believed the effectiveness of work release programs may be reduced when participation is relatively short and community-based social support services are insufficient. Relevant research and some considerations of our findings are discussed.

Many students struggle with mental health issues. Training on mental health is one way for schools to equip personnel with the tools needed to help and support students. We evaluated Youth Mental Health First Aid training offered to Illinois K-12 public school personnel, including school administrators, teachers, nurses, and other support staff. The training taught participants about mental health and ways to support students. We conducted field observations of two trainings and administered pre- and post-tests to evaluate the program. Ninety-one training participants responded to a pre-test before the training, and 48 completed both a pre- and post-test. Our evaluation found that participants gained mental health knowledge from training and reported increases in responsiveness and preparedness to help youth with mental health concerns.

The Illinois Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 outlines a comprehensive framework to enhance criminal justice practices in Illinois. The plan emphasizes evidence-based strategies to address key issues within the justice system. The strategic plan was developed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement, judiciary, public health, and community organizations. Key priorities in the plan include addressing mental health and substance use disorders among justice-involved individuals; reducing violent and firearm-related crimes; and supporting victims and witnesses of crime. Additionally, the plan aims to improve criminal justice planning, data analysis, and the integration of technology to enhance data capture and sharing. The plan also emphasizes the importance of supporting public defense services and addressing housing needs for those involved with the justice system. The strategic planning process involved analyzing crime data, reviewing past funding allocations, and incorporating stakeholder feedback through surveys and listening sessions. The plan will guide the allocation of JAG funds to effectively support state and local initiatives to improve justice outcomes, advance system reforms, promote racial equity, and support underserved communities in Illinois.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act, 20 ILCS 3930/7.9, created the Firearm Prohibitors and Records Improvement Task Force. The Task Force is charged with identifying, reviewing, and addressing gaps in firearm prohibitor reporting. An annual report is to be submitted to the Illinois General Assembly until 2027.

There are over 3 million persons on probation in this country and many struggle with both maintaining recovery from substance use disorders and obtaining secure housing. However, stable housing for those on probation in recovery can potentially reduce relapse and recidivism. We examined recovery housing needs from the perspectives of probation supervisors and clients of Cook County Adult Probation. We administered surveys to probation supervisors and interviewed three clients in recovery as case studies. We learned probation supervisors are in need of further housing training and resources to aid clients in recovery. Clients reported unemployment and a lack of assistance in obtaining affordable housing. We recommend probation departments improve collaboration with housing service providers; obtain training on housing; and utilize recovery housing resources to better serve their clients.

Diversion programs have emerged as an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system, particularly for non-violent offenses. The Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED) program is a 13-month pre-plea deferred-prosecution program, which aims to serve emerging adults, aged 18-26, charged with Delivery or Intent to Deliver in Cook County, Illinois. Heartland Alliance’s Social IMPACT Research Center worked with the SEED team to evaluate the implementation of the SEED program between May 2021 and June 2023. Overall, results of this evaluation show that despite some operational challenges, SEED was implemented smoothly. However, interviewees did indicate there were opportunities for program refinement and additional evaluation. Longer term evaluation of SEED and its effects on both participants and the criminal justice system will take time and requires tracking participants beyond the immediate end of the program.

Per 20 ILCS 3930/7.9, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is required to convene the Firearm Prohibitors and Records Improvement Task Force to identify gaps in firearm prohibitor data collection and reporting. A firearm prohibitor is any factor that prevents a person from the possession or transfer of a firearm or firearm ammunition. This Task Force is to produce an annual report through 2027.

The Housing Authorities Act (310 ILCS 10/8.10a) requires all Illinois public housing authorities to collect and report annually to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). Housing authorities are to report on applications for federally assisted housing, applicants with criminal records, denials based on criminal records, and hearings requested by those denied housing based on criminal records. This supplemental report for State Fiscal Year 2023 provides information shared by the housing authorities to ICJIA in fulfillment of the Act.

Nearly one in six U.S. children have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, youth mental health has been declared a national emergency. Schools are at the forefront of youth interventions to promote positive mental health and address mental health concerns. One intervention model includes training school personnel on to identify and help students with mental health issues. ICJIA researchers evaluated Youth Mental Health First Aid training offered to school personnel across Illinois (n = 81) with observations and surveys, including pre- and post-tests. The evaluation revealed participants gained mental health knowledge and were satisfied with the training format and content. The training program appeared to meet its goal of teaching school personnel about mental health issues in young people and interventions to address them.

Section 8.10a of the Housing Authorities Act requires all Illinois public housing programs to collect and report data to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) on an annual basis. Data include applications for federally assisted housing, criminal history records checks of applicants, criminal records assessment hearings, and denials for federally assisted housing overturned after a criminal records assessment hearing (310 ILCS 10/8.10a). This is the annual report to the Illinois General Assembly.

Social service workers with lived experience can be valuable assets to those experiencing the loss of a loved one to homicide. Researchers examined interview data gathered from a Chicago homicide survivor service agency evaluation and found workers who had previously experienced the homicide of a loved one brought many benefits to helping clients. However, the data also showed providing services to this population put the workers at high risk for burnout and vicarious trauma.

Repeated and deadly encounters between law enforcement officers and Black Americans have given way to mounting calls for police reform. Reformers have proposed reallocating funds from policing to communities and social services, rethinking police use of force policies, and improving measures for officer accountability. This literature review briefly describes the impetus for police reform, reviews proposed police reforms, and examines available research on the effectiveness of police reforms. Overall, research indicates police agencies should not only focus on reducing crime, but also protecting and fostering the relationship between the public and police.

Firearms prohibitors are factors which prohibit a person from transferring or possessing a firearm or firearm ammunition as outlined in the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. The Firearm Prohibitors and Records Improvement Task Force is responsible for researching available funding opportunities for entities required to report firearms prohibitors. This includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, courts, law enforcement, and corrections. The Task Force is also to identify gaps in firearms prohibitors reporting and assess all forms of mandated firearm and gun violence data collection. This is the first of annual reports to the Illinois General Assembly.

Local police are expected to use the least amount of force necessary against citizens, both in self-defense and in defense of others. Although relatively rare, many incidents of excessive, and even lethal, force used by police have been documented, particularly in situations involving people of color. Specifically, Black Americans are more likely to be killed during a police encounter than White Americans. The public has called for further investigation, data collection, and research on police use of force. This literature review provides an overview of theories on why police use of force occurs. Theories are based on officer characteristics, types of situations, organizational norms, and police policies and procedures. The review includes data and research on use of force including disparities in its use.

Racial profiling in traffic and pedestrian stops is a major concern for the public and advocacy groups. In order to better understand stops and searches occurring in Illinois, the Illinois legislature passed the Illinois Traffic and Pedestrian Stop Statistical Study Act requiring police officers to record demographic and stop data for those pulled over. In addition, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority was named to convene a Task Force to review the methods for compiling and analyzing this data. This article provides a brief summary of suggestions to enhance how traffic and pedestrian stop data are used in the state. An attached full report provides more detail on the 19 total recommendations developed by the Task Force. Although it is recognized that the needs of communities and law enforcement may ultimately differ, improving the quality of criminal justice data is a first step in restoring trust in law enforcement.

As drug overdoses continue to rise, public health scholars have called for more research to understand opioid and other substance misuse and offer treatment and intervention recommendations, particularly for persons with criminal justice system involvement. This study linked fatal opioid-related overdose data with criminal history data to inform responses to unintentional fatal drug overdoses and identify where and when connections between health and justice systems may be most beneficial. Findings revealed that overdose decedents often had multiple risk factors and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. Substance use disorder and mental health treatment, as well as harm reduction strategies, should be offered at each step in the criminal justice system to decrease risk for fatal overdose, particularly for those after released from incarceration.

Losing a loved one to homicide can be traumatizing for family and friends, often referred to as survivors. These survivors may need emotional, social, and financial support, as well as guidance through the criminal justice system process. Several organizations have emerged to address survivors’ needs. We examined Chicago Survivors, a Chicago-based organization, to learn about program development, obtain feedback from program stakeholders, and identify barriers to program implementation and service delivery. We conducted semi-structured interviews with program staff, partners, and clients and analyzed administrative program data. We found Chicago Survivors was a reliable agency providing valuable emotional and practical support to clients. We also offer suggestions for programmatic improvement.

Research indicates women are strong assets to police departments, but they may encounter barriers when attempting to enter the male-dominated field of policing. This study examined the experiences of six female police leaders in Illinois to learn about the challenges they faced and to discover how police departments can recruit, support, and retain women officers, particularly those interested in promotion. The interviews suggested that mentorship and close relationships with other officers can provide guidance and help cope with the stress that comes with being a female officer. Enforced policies against harassment and discrimination can help retain women in the profession and encourage them to safely pursue promotion. Finally, targeted recruitment strategies that highlight the service aspects of policing may inspire others to join, as well as be an early step in assisting departments with being reflective of the communities they serve.

Although school violence is not a new phenomenon, school safety continues to be a leading public health concern, particularly following high-profile school shootings. In response to these events, many schools have quickly implemented strategies to enhance safety, but research indicates certain responses may actually worsen student well-being. This literature review is the first in a two-part series providing an overview of factors that can affect school safety, including school climate, bullying, and school violence.

Maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment is important for students’ well-being and quality of education. Schools and communities seek the most effective strategies to ensure the safety of students and staff. This literature review discusses the evidence on various school safety practices and programs. Though schools have been quick to implement strategies such as hiring police officers and installing metal detectors, research shows that schools may benefit more from investing in support staff, such as nurses and counselors, and by relying on rehabilitative practices (e.g., social skills training) as opposed to punitive discipline (e.g., suspension and expulsion).

Research is limited on the use of electronic monitoring for individuals released from state correctional institutions. Available research indicates mixed results as to the efficacy of electronic monitoring in deterring individuals from committing technical violations—or violations of their conditions of release—and future criminal offending behavior. Further, the risks for collateral consequences (e.g. stigma, difficulty finding employment, disruption to family life) and potential net-widening are concerns. For the present study, we examined the discretionary use of electronic monitoring and its impact on individuals exiting the Illinois Department of Corrections on mandatory supervised release in state fiscal year 2016. We analyzed departmental policies, Prisoner Review Board orders, and conducted propensity score matching to compare outcomes of those who were and were not ordered to electronic monitoring as a condition of their release. Recommendations based on the study findings are provided.

The way in which probation and parole officers communicate and interact can impact outcomes for their clients. This literature review examines strategies geared towards enhancing outcomes for individuals under correctional supervision—core correctional practices and motivational interviewing. These practices have been found to generate more positive outcomes for individuals on probation or parole (community supervision), such as reduced recidivism rates, increased prosocial skill development, and increased interest/retention in treatment, when compared with traditional methods of correctional supervision that tend to focus more on client risk management and compliance with conditions of supervision.

Many believe mental illness and violence are associated. Despite research showing the vast majority of individuals with mental illness are not violent, the dangerousness of mental illness is frequently exaggerated in the news and entertainment industries. Resultant stigma toward those with mental illness can greatly impact public policy and opinion. This literature review examines the links between mental illness and violence and the variables that mediate that relationship. Overall, research suggests focusing not on whether mental illness causes violence, but how to best identify risk factors and reduce stigmatizing beliefs.

Individuals released from prison often face immediate challenges related to employment, housing, behavioral health, and social support. While high recidivism rates among returning citizens continue to be an issue in many communities, certain reentry programs have shown effectiveness in improving outcomes for released individuals. This article provides an overview of reentry needs and best practices for reentry programming. Examples of promising reentry programs are provided. Strategies for parole officers are briefly discussed, as parole is often directly related to the reentry process. Evidence-based practices have emerged from the existing research on reentry, but high-quality, replicable research on programming will continue to be necessary to advance the “what works” discourse.

U.S. veterans have made significant contributions to American freedom and many have risked their lives to defend the country. Some suffer a range of poor physical and behavioral health outcomes upon returning to civilian life, putting them at greater risk for criminal justice involvement. Military veterans comprise a small but noteworthy percentage of the justice-involved population. Research suggests military service may contribute to aggression; 64 percent of veterans in U.S. prisons were sentenced for a violent offense and of those, one-third are serving time for a violent sexual offense. This article examines veteran needs that, when unmet, may contribute to justice involvement, as well as programs designed to address those needs. Veteran-specific services, including veteran treatment courts, may be critical for improving treatment outcomes. Future research directions and recommendations also are discussed.