Current Projects
Pretrial Risk Assessment & Needs Evaluation
With funding from the John D. And Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, we are collaborating with researchers at Policy Research Associates and the University of Massachusetts to conduct a mixed-methods, multiphase study. This study aims to investigate how pretrial risk assessment instruments can be used to inform less carceral pretrial decisions and to gain a deeper understanding of pretrial defendants’ unique needs and experiences. To achieve this, we assessed defendants’ perceptions of their own criminogenic risks, needs, and protective factors during pretrial release in the community. Recruitment and data analysis are complete, and we are now focused on manuscript development and disseminating findings.
Intentional Pretrial Supervision
With support from Indiana’s Office of Court Services, we are collaborating with researchers at Indiana University and practitioners in Cass and Monroe Counties to refine, scale, and implement Intentional Pretrial Supervision, which incorporates voluntary, needs-based strategies to connect clients to essential services and supports. This study involves conducting a multisite randomized controlled trial across Indiana counties to evaluate this new model of pretrial supervision. Study recruitment is ongoing and will continue throughout December 2025. We are also developing key deliverables in 2025 including a policy brief, implementation guide, and procedural manuscripts.
Fairfax County Peer Recovery Services Evaluation
With support from the Fairfax County-Falls Church Community Services Board, our team is evaluating Fairfax County's provision of peer recovery services for individuals in substance and/or mental health recovery. This evaluation will determine whether peer recovery programs are operating as intended and achieving key short-term and long-term outcomes for individuals. Primary data collection is ongoing and will continue through December of 2025. Additionally, we are preparing a mid-project progress report with interim findings.
Disparities in Criminal-Legal Processing
With support from the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration and the Indiana Justice Reinvestment Council’s (JRAC) Racial Equity Work Group, we are advancing a study to establish and measure decision points in criminal-legal processing that contribute to cumulative disparities between Black and White individuals who are justice-involved. In 2024, we measured racial disparities in three Indiana counties across all stages of the criminal-legal system using 26 metrics. We are currently working with local agencies to implement these metrics into existing databases. Between 2023 and 2024, we measured relative disadvantage of individuals booked into jail over a 6-month period. We are continuing to track respondents through criminal-legal processing to assess the role of structural barriers in racial disparities.
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Supported by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, we are evaluating the provision of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. This evaluation will examine different pathways through which individuals receive MOUD and associated outcomes and inform MOUD programming moving forward. The evaluation is currently in the data procurement and linking stage. The evaluation will wrap up in June 2025.