This article describes the RAND Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative, which is holistically examining how technology could help mitigate correctional staff or facility limitations and improve training as well as organizational policies and practices.
RAND's research team includes RTI International, the University of Denver, and the Police Executive Research Forum. The team is currently developing a web-based platform that will allow a broader community of practitioners to participate in identifying and prioritizing solutions. In 2015, the research team published "Fostering Innovation in Community and Institutional Corrections: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for the U.S. Corrections Sector." This report presents findings and recommendations from the team's initial literature review of challenges and opportunities in the corrections sector. The report also details how a 25-member expert panel prioritized the needs and potential opportunities. The work of the panel is described in this article. After examining the common needs across institutional and community corrections, the report proposes several priorities for innovation in corrections. It also proposes a five-step agenda for corrections in the United States. This article outlines the agenda, which is a starting point for developing a research agenda that will transform corrections. This web page provides access to the full report.