Our Capabilities

CJI is improving public safety and human service delivery nationwide and in Massachusetts with our creative, collaborative approaches to today’s most pressing and complex social and public safety problems. Policymakers and practitioners alike benefit from our insightful, evidence-based recommendations.

CJI takes a broad view of public safety and the role we play in bringing about positive change. With funding from local, state, and federal agencies, as well as the private sector, we:

Promote system change for better outcomes;

Conduct research and program evaluation to identify what does and doesn’t work;

Develop issue papers and policy briefs;

Develop policy recommendations;

Conduct forums and focus groups to initiate public dialogue;

Design and test new problem-solving models;

Guide and facilitate public-private collaborations;

Conduct educational and advocacy activities;

Promote prevention strategies, such as strength and asset building; and

Provide capacity building technical assistance to organizations and communities.

In particular, we are a national leader in developing results-oriented strategies and in empowering agencies and communities to implement successful systemic change. A key CJI strength lies in our ability to bridge the gap between research and practice in public institutions and communities.

CJI’s work is supported by an energetic and highly competent staff from diverse backgrounds in the criminal justice and social science fields. Our research and program evaluation capacity encompasses study design and implementation and a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, including advanced statistical techniques. Expertise includes survey, focus group, and case study methodologies. Applying both our research skills and broad practical experience, we also provide technical assistance in corrections, crime and violence prevention, community partnership-building, and other public safety arenas. We further expand our capacity by collaborating with outside research institutions, community-based organizations, and consultants from a wide range of disciplines.