JUSTICE TODAY: EXPLORING HOW FUNDING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY
There’s so much that goes into building safe and vibrant communities and creating a justice system that is fair and equitable. And here at OJP, we are committed to advancing strong communities, equal justice, and sound science. This podcast will explore what we are doing – in concert with you, our partners in the field -- to help achieve these vital aims. We’ll touch on topics ranging from violence reduction and reentry to victim services and supporting youth. We’ll explore how OJP resources are improving access to justice and strengthening bonds of trust in communities. And we’ll talk about the important investments we’re making in science and data so that our public safety policies rest on a solid foundation of evidence.
Many listeners are familiar with the six program offices at the Office of Justice Programs. As part of the podcast series, you will learn more about the important work each office carries out.
For example, did you know that the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has a broad portfolio that includes youth mentoring, community-based alternatives to incarceration, and even the AMBER Alert program? They are also in the vanguard of juvenile justice reform, and they help to lead our nation’s child protection efforts.
Our Office for Victims of Crime supports thousands of local victim assistance programs, and you’ll hear about some of the great work they’re doing to reach underserved communities and disrupt the cycle of trauma and violence.
The National Institute of Justice – our research, development and evaluation arm – is moving science to the forefront of criminal and juvenile justice. We’ll learn more about how they’re expanding our knowledge base and helping policymakers and justice system professionals make smarter, more informed decisions, using groundbreaking and important research.
Our Bureau of Justice Assistance is spearheading our work to help America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce violence and make the system more effective and more equitable.
Our SMART Office helps communities meet their responsibilities under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and is seeding new work to prevent sex-related offenses in the first place.
And the Bureau of Justice Statistics collects and publishes data on a wide range of criminal justice topics, from victimization to corrections.
We’ll also explore subjects like public safety in Indian country, behavioral health challenges in the justice system, and alternatives to incarceration, along with many other crime-and-justice issues that are on the minds of many Americans.
This podcast will shine a light on cutting edge research and practices and offer an in-depth look at what we’re doing to meet the biggest public safety challenges of our time. We hope to bring a wider understanding, not only of OJP, but of what makes our criminal and juvenile legal systems tick and what we can do to make them better. Join us as we explore how funding, science and technology impact public safety and justice in today’s complex environment.
