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In 2024, the Illinois legislature created the offense of "lewd sexual display in a penal institution," 720 ILCS 5/11-9.2-1. A person who is incarcerated commits this offense when they knowingly expose their genitals to individuals for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. The first time a person is found guilty...

Nicole Hansel is a Research Fellow in the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation. Before joining ICJIA, she worked on various research projects examining topics such as racial diversity in jury selection, predictors of suspicion and guilt in 911 calls, and chronic illnesses. She received her B.A. in Psychology from...

Gabriella DeMartinis is Research Fellow in the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation conducting a program evaluation for the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Post-Overdose and Public Safety program. Gabriella earned an MA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a BA in Political Science and History...

Janis Sayer is a Research Fellow in the Center for justice Research and Evaluation working on the Chicago Youth Intervention Pathways evaluation. Janis has over 10 years of research and evaluation experience focusing primarily on behavioral health and public health topics. Previously, Janis held roles in policy and planning at...

Susan Alrifai is a Research Fellow with the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation, where she is conducting a program evaluation on police-led deflection initiatives. She has research experience in public policy analysis and program evaluation, focusing on developing solutions to improve systems that impact community safety, social equity, and...

**Karina Polanco** is a Research Fellow working on an the evaluation of IDHS youth employment programs. received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Florida International University, in her home city of Miami, Florida. She recently received her M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of...

**Anna Lucia Rizzo** is a Research Fellow working on the evaluation of police co-responder programs. She is originally from Los Angeles, California. She received her BA in Criminology from DePaul University and a master’s degree from UC Irvine in Legal and Forensic Psychology. She has work and research experience in...

**John P. Smith** is a Research Fellow working on the evaluation of IDHS police deflection programs. He was born and raised in Chicago. He is a McNair Scholar with a bachelor’s in psychology from Northeastern Illinois University and a master’s in international Family Studies from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before joining...

Jessica Reichert is a highly accomplished and experienced researcher in criminology. With over two decades of experience, she had made significant contributions through her work at the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, where she serves as a Senior Research Scientist and Manager of the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation....

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,...

This brief shares findings from a process evaluation of a program that treats women prisoners in Illinois with co-occurring disorders—substance use and mental health disorders. Overall, feedback from clients and staff were positive and the program showed reductions in clients' posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and aggression after participation. In addition,...

Katherine Wilson McCoy is a Research Fellow in the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation. She has research experience in areas such as racial disparities in the death penalty, evidence-based policing practices, and public-private partnerships in emergency management.  Katherine has been awarded the 2024 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Doctoral...

Gun violence continues to be a major criminal justice and public health issue. This article provides an overview of one strategy to reduce gun violence—focused deterrence. The strategy has been employed in many major U.S. cities, including in Illinois in Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford. Overall research on focused deterrence strategies...

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...

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...

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...

Even with substantial efforts at the state and local levels, opioid overdoses in Illinois continue to rise. Many in jails and prisons suffer from opioid use disorders and some receive treatment. Upon release, the risk of overdose is enhanced due to reduced tolerance. This article presents findings from a survey...

Over 20 million Americans have substance use disorders and many are in need of treatment and other social services. Police often encounter persons with behavioral health needs and can deflect, or refer, individuals to service providers without making an arrest. This evaluation examined the action planning process of a police-based...

Over 1 million Americans are victims of violent crime each year and many need assistance. Police often encounter victims and can deflect, or refer, individuals to treatment and services and away from emergency department care, crisis services, and potential justice system involvement. This evaluation examined the virtual action planning process...

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...

Formerly incarcerated individuals may be unable to secure stable employment and struggle to acquire income; however, opening a small business may offer this population an alternative to the traditional job market. Researchers evaluated the Pathway to Enterprise for Returning Citizens (PERC) program, which offered training in entrepreneurship and other resources...

Employment is an important factor in successful community reintegration after prison release and is associated with lower rates of recidivism. To examine employment following release from Illinois prisons, we matched state prison records to state employment data. Our sample was made up of 4,430 persons who exited prison in 2018...

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...

Court diversion programs for individuals convicted for drug crimes have been found to reduce recidivism and be cost effective. Some courts have established programs offering alternative sentencing and specialized programming for persons convicted of felony drug offenses. We conducted a process evaluation of a court diversion program for individuals charged...

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...

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...

Police officers often encounter people with substance use disorders and in need of treatment. Police pre-arrest diversion or “deflection” programs allow police departments to refer individuals to treatment, steering them away from traditional criminal justice system processing. This preliminary outcome evaluation examined A Way Out (AWO), a program in Lake...

A significant amount of police engagement involves persons with multiple service needs, such as substance use treatment or mental health services. Deflection allows officers and first responders the discretion to refer individuals to service providers without making an arrest. This evaluation examined the action planning process for a multijurisdictional police-led...

Persons reentering the community after prison face many obstacles that have been shown to reduce recidivism, such as securing employment. Like many states, Illinois operates work release centers allowing prisoners nearing the end of their sentence to work in the community and stay in the correctional facility when not working....

Gun violence is a persistent and concerning issue across the country and the state of Illinois. In communities with high levels of gun violence, individuals may carry guns for protection. These individuals may never intend to, or actually, fire them; however, if arrested for possession, they may face a felony...

Millions of individuals and families are affected by substance use disorders and overdose in the United States. Deflection programs provide an opportunity for law enforcement to connect individuals with substance use challenges to appropriate treatment and services to improve health and public safety outcomes. We evaluated the efforts of community...

The criminal justice system features multiple independent agencies working parallel to each other. Criminal justice coordinating councils foster agency collaboration to better address county criminal justice issues. This article describes criminal justice coordinating councils and examines the limited research available on their implementation and effectiveness.

Researchers conducted a process evaluation of Safe Passage, a police deflection model in which police departments become a referral point to treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. Through the model, individuals can walk into any participating police department and request and receive treatment without fear of arrest. In Illinois,...

Research has found nearly all prisoners have experienced a traumatic event in their life and a high proportion suffer from PTSD. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and WestCare Foundation (Illinois) researchers surveyed 573 Illinois prisoners to understand the trauma they experienced and explore the relationship between trauma and substance misuse....

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

The U.S. overdose crisis has motivated police departments to enact policies allowing officers to directly deflect individuals to substance use disorder treatment and other services shown to reduce recidivism and subsequent overdose risk, as well as refer people who voluntarily present at police facilities with a desire for treatment. As a...

Law enforcement-led deflection programs redirect individuals with behavioral health or other needs to treatment and services. The field of deflection is still relatively new and practitioners are still developing best practices to train program staff and stakeholders. We evaluated the Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Deflection Academy, a five-day...

Media—in particular news coverage—contribute toward shaping public understanding and opinion on societal issues, and influence policies, programs, and legislative action. While a small number of previous studies have explored journalists' reporting on other social issues, very little is known about their perceptions and knowledge of human trafficking. In this exploratory...

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...

An increasing number of widely publicized and divisive incidents between police and citizens suggest a need for police policies and practices to improve procedural justice. Procedural justice emphasizes the need for police to demonstrate their legitimacy to the public in four areas—voice, transparency, fairness, and impartiality. This article explains...

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...

Drug trafficking constitutes a major threat to public health and community well-being. Multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, comprised of law enforcement officers in one or more counties that agree to pool resources, were designed to combat drug distribution and trafficking. Researchers evaluated 19 drug task forces in Illinois using quantitative and...

The prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is higher among individuals in prison and jail than in the general population. Research has shown a connection between trauma and criminality due in part to the coping mechanisms of aggression and substance misuse after a traumatic event. While the corrections...

Some individuals on probation who have opioid use disorders (OUDs) cannot access effective, FDA-approved medications-methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone-to treat their disorders. This article shared finding from a survey of 26 Illinois probation department directors on how probation departments respond to clients with OUDs, focusing on the barriers to accessing OUD...

Nearly one-third of Illinois probationers suffer from an opioid use disorder (OUD). Despite evidence that FDA-approved medications methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can effectively treat OUD, many probation departments do not allow their clients to use them, even when prescribed by a healthcare provider. ICJIA researchers surveyed probation departments across the...

There is a national opioid epidemic and one intervention to help those suffering from an opioid use disorder (OUD) is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is the use of medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy as part of a long-term treatment regimen. There are three main MAT medications used today—methadone, buprenorphine,...

While more than half of individuals incarcerated in U.S. jails and prisons meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, little is known about their misuse of prescription drugs. In this study, Authority researchers, in collaboration with WestCare Foundation Illinois, surveyed 573 state prisoners on prescription drug use to...

Synthetic drug use is a growing public health concern. Synthetics are often cheaper and more readily available than cannabis and amphetamines, making them attractive alternatives to other illicit drugs. In addition, the chemical formulas for these drugs are constantly changing, making them difficult to regulate, and their detection is limited...

Police administrators across the country are recognizing the need to connect individuals with whom they come into contact in the community to evidence-based treatment to better address the large social and economic burden of substance use disorders (SUD), a chronic and relapsing condition. Police frequently encounter substance using individuals and...

Evaluation in criminal justice is vital to improving program effectiveness, increasing efficiency, and improving public safety. This article helps demystify the evaluation process and offers practical advice for practitioners endeavoring to evaluate a program. Processes for internal evaluation and external evaluation partnerships are described. Criminal justice practitioners are encouraged to...

This article provides an overview of the main issues driving a renewed focus on pretrial detention, the effects of overuse of pretrial detention, and potential areas of reform with a focus on Illinois law and practices when possible. Illinois has made some progress in pretrial reform including the passing of...

Excessive opioid prescribing increases exposure to those drugs and increases their volume in communities. Over-prescribing has been associated with growing rates of opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. Opioid prescription rates are relatively low in Illinois compared to other states; however, prescription rates varies greatly by county, city, and medical...

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...

While most of the country has turned its attention to the opioid crisis, Illinois has seen a resurgence in methamphetamine misuse and related offending, particularly in rural areas. Researchers explored literature and data available on the extent and nature of state and national methamphetamine issues. Researchers found the arrest rate...

In this study, researchers analyzed Illinois jail and prison deaths that occurred between January 2020 and February 2021 to determine COVID-19 mortality among incarcerated populations pre-vaccine availability. They found over 40% of the 242 deaths occurring in Illinois correctional facilities during that time were COVID-19-related. Most of these deaths occurred...

This article explores the use of randomized control trials (RCTs) to test criminal justice programs to measure effectiveness. BetaGov is a group that offers assistance to practitioners and researchers to conduct RCTs. An example of such a collaboration between ICJIA and Betagov is offered along with lessons learned.

Jurisdictions across the United States are seeing a reduction in reported crime and arrests coinciding with COVID-19. This article offers a preliminary look at arrest trends during the COVID-19 pandemic across Illinois. Researchers examined arrest data from the Illinois State Police Criminal History Record Information database to identify arrest trends prior to...

This interactive data on drug-related arrests and prison admissions allow users to explore the types of drug offenses for which individuals are arrested and admitted to prison, the locations in which different types of drug arrests and prison admissions occur in Illinois, and the characteristics of those admitted to prison...

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...

This article offers an overview of state and national homelessness including prevalence and causes of homelessness, criminal justice system contacts with the homeless, and recommendations to address homelessness with a focus on justice-involved populations.

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,...

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...

This article provides a snapshot of juvenile trends from 2018 to 2022. It is meant to be a brief overview of youth statistics in the juvenile justice system. In the United States, in the past decade, the number of youths in the juvenile justice system has been declining. COVID-19 precautions...

The number of opioid overdose deaths has risen significantly in the United States since 2009. Naloxone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdose. Public support for equipping law enforcement officers (LEOs) with naloxone has increased in the past decade....

A focus group is a qualitative research method for collecting information through group discussions. Focus group planning includes determining roles, recruiting participants, and preparing to facilitate discussions. This article is a guide to successful and efficient focus group execution, analysis, and reporting. Ultimately, focus group findings can offer insights on...

The 2021 Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act enacts extensive reform impacting many areas of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial, sentencing, and corrections. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is tasked with implementing several of the Act’s provisions. These areas of the Act include...

Securing employment after exiting prison can be challenging, but some reentry programs seek to help formerly incarcerated individuals gain employment. One type of program provides entrepreneurship training to help individuals open their own small business. ICJIA researchers conducted an outcome evaluation of an entrepreneurship program in Cook County Illinois, Pathway...

This research brief examines racial and ethnic disparities in the Illinois juvenile justice system across five critical decision points: arrest, diversion, detention, secure confinement, and transfer to adult court. Using 2022 data from various state agencies to create a disproportionality index, we found overrepresentation of Black youth at all decision...

Diversion programming can be offered by law enforcement and the courts to individuals as option to redirect them from further criminal justice system processing. The Illinois Criminal Diversion Racial Impact Data Collection Act of 2017 sought to provide a mechanism to gather statewide data on the race and ethnicity of...

Police departments continually adopt new technology to improve how they investigate and solve crime. Acoustic gunshot detection systems (AGDs) such as ShotSpotter use sound sensors to locate gunshots in a community, improve response times, determine how many shooters are in an area, and identify the types of firearms being used....

The relationship between victimization and offending, also referred to as the victim-offender overlap, is widely documented. While crime victims do not always become offenders, most offenders have been victims. The victimization experience can produce negative physical, mental, and behavioral outcomes in individuals and some may go on to commit their...

First responders across the country are carrying and administering naloxone, successfully reversing countless overdose deaths. However, experiencing a revival isn't always a deterrent for those suffering with opioid use disorder, as many continue to use, experience repeated overdoses, and repeatedly come into contact with local law enforcement. Some police officers...

Seeking to more effectively help individuals suffering from opioid use disorder, police departments across the country are embracing a deflection model that offers treatment access to those in need. Researchers interviewed representatives of seven law enforcement agencies employing treatment program models in Illinois to better understand operations, leverage lessons learned,...

Although there have been documented declines in U.S. crime rates in past decades, recent news headlines in Chicago often highlight incidents of, and concerns about, violence, particularly gun violence. Prior research has noted fear of crime in urban neighborhoods is associated with physical deterioration, as well as social disorganization and...

During stages of ongoing, yet incomplete, cognitive development, youth may be more inclined to take risks and experiment with drugs and alcohol and are often heavily influenced by their peers, leading to negative outcomes. Nationally and in Illinois, traditionally high drug use categories of marijuana and alcohol appear to be...

More than 500,000 individuals are released from prison each year. As they return to their communities, they face obstacles in finding employment and housing, as well as significant debt, outstanding fines, and restitution payments. Two-thirds of this population are arrested again within three years. St. Leonard's House in Chicago offers...

Opioid and heroin use is surging in Illinois communities and across the country with dramatic increases in the number of users and deaths by overdose. Communities, criminal justice practitioners, and public health professionals are struggling to help those suffering from opioid use disorders and, ultimately, save lives. This article...

In 2014, the Reentry Program, one of three components of Illinois' Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) receiving funds through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, provided services to youth and young adults on parole and aftercare in 21 Chicago area communities in order to assist with their compliance with parole...

Satisfaction with the criminal justice system often reflects the opinions of the public rather than that of the offender. When probation clients are able to provide feedback in a meaningful way, they are less marginalized and alienated from a process attempting to make changes in their behavior and attitudes. Authority...

In Illinois, the distribution of controlled substances is a significant problem and task forces were created to combat the distribution of controlled substances at the local level. This study sought to understand the extent of the drug problem in the jurisdictions covered by each drug task force. Authority researchers surveyed...

Jails in the United States house large numbers of detainees who have urgent public and behavioral healthcare needs as well as various serious social, economic, and personal problems. Jails are often the primary (or only) settings for medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse treatment.

Growing public support for prison reform has brought attention to community-based supervision alternatives, including intensive supervision probation for offenders who are at significant risk of being incarcerated. Researchers examined four intensive supervision probation with services programs supported by Adult Redeploy Illinois for fidelity to the evidence-based service model.

Urban violence is a major public health concern and at epidemic levels in some neighborhoods, directly impacting the mental health of its residents (Morris, n.d.). The rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among urban populations is estimated to be around 31 percent, higher than the PTSD rate among returning Iraq...

Drug courts emerged in the 1990s to address serious drug offending while improving offender outcomes and reducing incarceration costs. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority researchers examined drug courts funded by Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) in five counties. Data to measure the 10 key components was collected after 18 months of...

More than 2.4 million people are confined in correctional facilities across the United States. Each year, more than half a million inmates are released from prison and return to their communities. The formerly incarcerated face many obstacles as they reenter the community, such as finding employment and housing, and paying...

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority researchers conducted an evaluation of the Community Violence Prevention Program's Youth Employment Program. The program, which ended in August 2014, sought to increase job readiness skills, build relationships with a caring adult, improve attitudes toward employment and violence, increase self-esteem and conflict resolution skills,...

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority researchers conducted an evaluation of the Community Violence Prevention Program's (CVPP) Parent Program. The program, which ended August 2014, sought to increase protective factors to reduce child maltreatment by employing and training nearly 1,000 Chicago-area parents to lead service projects to help other parents in...

More than 2.4 million people are confined in the U.S. in state and federal prisons, juvenile corrections, and jails. Each year, more than half a million individuals are released from prison and return to their communities. After leaving prison, offenders with criminal records face obstacles such as difficulty finding...

Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) applies evidence-based, data-driven, and result-oriented strategies to curb prison overcrowding and enhance public safety. Since 2010, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (Authority) has administered grant funding for ARI and offered research, evaluation, and technical assistance to the program.

In the United States, firearm homicide is a major public health concern. Certain populations are at greater risk for being a victim of firearm homicide, such as those with prior criminal justice involvement. The overlap between violent victimization and offense history, referred to as the victim-offender overlap, is empirically supported,...

The special issue of the Journal for Advancing Justice featured papers that reflect critical issues in the emerging field of law enforcement deflection and prearrest diversion programs (hereafter collectively referred to as deflection). Deflection is a collaborative intervention connecting public safety (e.g., police, sheriffs) and public health systems to create...

LGBTQ+ individuals experience victimization at higher rates than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts and one in five hate crimes victims are targeted for their LGBTQ+ identity. In addition, studies point to a high prevalence of other forms of trauma, including discrimination, harassment, and housing insecurity. ICJIA researchers surveyed 212 LGBTQ+...

This study examined the connection between criminal arrests and prison admissions and an outcome of violent death defined as either a homicide or suicide. We examined Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) data from death certificates, the coroner/medical examiner, law enforcement, and toxicology and autopsy reports, and linked with state...

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...

This brief information graphic highlights the experiences of justice-involved girls, the various needs of girls in the juvenile justice system, and best practices surrounding services and programming for justice-involved girls. The information graphic was created as part of the Illinois State Bar Association’s continuing law education series: Girls in Crisis...

Last year, 45 percent of the 28,612 Illinois Department of Corrections inmates screened for substance abuse upon prison entry were deemed in need of treatment.

Researchers use interviewing as a qualitative tool to answer research questions. Researchers have an ethical obligation to protect study participants from harm, particularly when asking about sensitive topics. Interviews on potentially sensitive topics (e.g., victimization, criminal offending behaviors, substance use) can elicit emotional responses from both the participant...

Section 8.10a of the Housing Authorities Act requires all Illinois public housing programs to collect and report to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) data on an annual basis (310 ILCS 10/8.10a). This report covers the 2024 calendar year and presents information provided to ICJIA by public housing authorities.

Violence is one of the top three leading causes of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 34 in the United States, and the American Public Health Association and Centers for Disease Control have designated violence a public health crisis. Important to combating this crisis are behavioral and...

Social science research, rooted in the scientific method, is the foundation on which to advance knowledge and society. Part of research can include the participation of individuals, or “human subjects,” to help further the understanding of society and issues within society. International, federal, state, and local regulations ensure individuals are...

Despite the juvenile justice system’s shift from punitive to rehabilitative correctional approaches, post-commitment youth recidivism continues to be a significant issue. While the number of incarcerated juveniles in Illinois has consistently decreased over the years, the recidivism rate remains high. To better understand the extent of Illinois youth recidivism, researchers...

Monetary penalties, such as court costs, fees, and fines, are common sanctions levied by the criminal justice system. While these sanctions are used to offset court operations' costs, the financial burden disproportionately impacts those from lower socioeconomic levels and minority communities. This article summarizes survey findings gleaned from a population...

With increased attention on the criminal justice system's use of evidence-based practices, focus is needed on the quality of practice implementation and its impact on outcomes. This article defines evidence-based practices, discusses the importance of effective implementation, and outlines the drivers for organizational and operational change.

Juvenile Justice in Illinois, 2015, provides a statistical overview of the juvenile justice system in Illinois across four decision points in which data were available: arrest, detention admissions, active probation caseloads, and new sentence admissions to corrections. Statewide and regional figures are provided with rates spanning from 2011 to 2015....

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States both in the general population and among people involved in the justice system. Research suggests suicide rates among those detained in jail and prison have increased in recent years. For this reason, it is important to understand...

As social distancing measures continue to be necessary as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health court personnel and other criminal justice professionals have adapted to alternative work conditions. In this study, Illinois mental health court staff were surveyed to examine how the pandemic may have impacted normal operations....

Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance among youth in the United States. Underage alcohol use contributes to risky behavior, lower academic achievement, and altered brain development, and can increase the risk of future misuse. This article explored literature on underage drinking and interventions available to address the problem. Also...

Research suggests violence against women is a leading cause of U.S. homelessness and housing instability for women and their children. Transitional housing programs offer stable housing to women and their children who have been harmed by violence. Researchers conducted a process evaluation of three Illinois transitional housing programs. Overall, the...

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a persistent but preventable problem that creates a risk of injury or death for all individuals on the road. This article provides an overview of policies to prevent and reduce alcohol-impaired driving, an analysis of related data from Illinois, and a review...

Law enforcement agencies in Illinois and across the country are seeking ways to increase the safety and efficacy of interactions between officers and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Researchers conducted a statewide survey to learn more about how police and sheriff's departments respond to mental health crisis incidents. This...

As many as 10 percent of police contacts involve individuals with mental health conditions. A growing number of police and sheriff's departments have implemented specialized responses to mental health crisis incidents, including crisis intervention teams. Research indicates departments offering specialized responses show greater officer knowledge of mental health conditions...

This article addresses data privacy issues as they relate to multi-system collaborations for pre-arrest deflection into treatment and services for those suffering from a substance use disorder. The authors explore how the United States’ data privacy regulations pose barriers to collaboration and care coordination, as well as how data privacy...

Due to the high number of Americans with substance use disorders and the opioid crisis, many law enforcement departments are rethinking how they address the needs of people with substance use issues. With police-based deflection programs, police officers make referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other services. The research...

Research indicates that diverting youth from formal justice system processing can prevent future youth justice contact and system involvement. The Illinois Department of Human Services seeks to accomplish this through providing individualized treatment services to reduce recidivism and admissions to state youth correctional facilities as part of its Redeploy Illinois...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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....

Mental health courts are designed to reduce criminal justice system involvement among those suffering from mental health disorders. These courts have proliferated across the United States in the last 30 years, growing to over 470 nationwide. Mental health courts incorporate multidisciplinary teams of criminal justice system practitioners and stakeholders to...

Due in part to drug crimes, many U.S. citizens are under correctional supervision. One aspect of correctional supervision is drug testing. The view among many is that sobriety is required to meet probation program requirements. Research on probation client outcomes related to the impact of drug testing is limited. This...

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to support prosecutor-led development of local, tailored initiatives to reduce gun and gang violence. In partnership with the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Central Illinois District’s Project Safe Neighborhoods team, ICJIA conducted a survey of police and sheriff departments in...

The nature of police work may at times involve stressful situations such as the threat of, and actual, physical harm and witnessing the human toll of violence. The stress of the job combined with organizational stressors may severely impact police officers and their work. Stress can lead to substance misuse...

Due to the intense nature of police work, officers may experience stress-related psychological health problems. Mental health stigmas, masculine police culture that is aversive to change, fears of lack of confidentiality, and time commitment concerns create barriers to police willingness to seek treatment for stress-related issues. Nevertheless, many departments provide...

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges for the criminal justice system. Despite statewide social distancing and stay-in-place orders, criminal justice practitioners and victim service providers must, to some extent, continue to directly interact with justice-involved individuals, victims, and others. This article describes some of the challenges criminal justice system practitioners...

H. Douglas Otto is a Research Analyst with the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation. Prior to joining ICJIA, Doug was a research assistant at Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice Research, Policy, and Practice. There he assisted in a study on costs associated with violent and property crime...