1.

Research

The Criminal Justice Reform Lab’s multidisciplinary research revolves around two primary areas:

• Pathways of criminal justice reform. We study the historical and present development of American criminal justice policy, and the many influences—for example, psychological, ideological, political, and sociological—that shape it. We rely on a mix of empirical, qualitative, and normative perspectives in our search for understanding.

• Possibilities for criminal justice reform. We seek out crime and punishment-related topics, ideas, and policy proposals that are presently outside of the mainstream of our national conversation over criminal justice reform, but which show promise in their ability to move American criminal justice policy forward.

2.

Incubation

Incubation at the lab involves the formulation of theories focused on:

• The role that ideas play in criminal justice policymaking and reform; and

• The criteria by which certain ideas retain influence and others do not in criminal justice policymaking and reform.

We then use these theories as the foundation for developing:

• New frameworks, methods, and strategies for making progress in criminal justice reform; and

• Evidence-based policy proposals sensitive to on-the-ground realities—for example, community sentiment, politics, and the preexisiting laws of a given jurisdiction.

3.

Experimentation

We design, implement, and evaluate empirical studies, research projects, and events on an array of topics. Through these ventures, we seek to:

• Bring new methodologies and perspectives to bear on core criminal justice issues;

• Shed light on new issues currently left out of the national conversation over criminal justice reform; and

• Utilize novel mediums for transmitting scholarly ideas—both our own and those of other scholars.

We hope for many successes, expect at least some failures, and are committed to learning from both.

4.

Collaboration

Collaboration lies at the heart of the Criminal Justice Reform Lab. Much of what we do requires an appreciation of the complexity of social phenomena and the diversity of influences that drive it—often exceeding what any individual person or institution possesses. So we always strive to bring multiple perspectives, expertises, and experiences to bear on all aspects and every stage of our work. (This also makes the work more enjoyable!) To that end, the Reform Lab has and continues to collaborate with a diverse group of the nation’s leading scholars, practitioners, and reform organizations—as well as extraordinary law students.