This report presents case studies of how eight states have improved the cost-effectiveness of their law enforcement efforts by using the strategic model and training and technical assistance (TTA) resources provided under the federal Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), which is funded by the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, with support from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
The JRI provides TTA to states for implementing a model that analyzes data to identify key criminal justice challenges, such as violent crime, substance use and mental health disorders, and high recidivism rates. After identifying the challenges based on data collection and analysis, policies and programs are developed for reducing targeted crime and recidivism, improving responses to behavioral health challenges, and increasing public safety. The case studies presented in this report describe how the JRI strategy and TTA resources have been used to improve the cost-effectiveness of law enforcement in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Nevada, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. In Arkansas, JRI helped law enforcement agencies respond to justice-involved people who have mental health disorders. The JRI investment in Louisiana assisted in funding crime victims’ services. JRI’s investment in Missouri provided law enforcement agencies with tools for reducing violent crime and improving data collection and reporting. In Massachusetts, JRI investments improved crime and arrest data collection and reporting. Nevada used JRI strategies and TTA to provide law enforcement agencies with tools and resources that improved their response to people with behavioral health needs. Oklahoma used JRI resources to fund local law enforcement agencies in developing and implementing strategies for reducing violent crime. Oregon invested its JRI resources in law enforcement efforts to use research-based policing practices. Pennsylvania’s JRI resources were invested in tools, tactics, and training that increased public safety. 2 tables