Reducing Urban Crime and Violence Forum Discusses Alternatives to Incarceration

The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Urban Education Institute co-hosted a panel discussion on criminal justice and education responses to Chicago violence. The first panel just concluded, with the following participants: Moderator: James Warren, Columnist | Chicago News Cooperative The Honora...

Cook County Bond Court Overlooks Critical Information

This editorial originally appeared at the Huffington Post.  In less than the time it takes to make an ATM withdrawal, Cook County Bond Court judges make decisions affecting individual liberty and the public safety. This way of transacting justice exacts a dear convenience fee -- defendants' liberty...

Smart Criminal Justice Policies Gain Momentum in Chicago, Cook County

This piece originally appeared at the Huffington Post. County and City officials have taken bold yet prudent steps toward sensible, cost-effective public safety policies. The County has expanded use of electronic monitoring and the City is now considering issuing a fine in lieu of arrest for mariju...

Diversion Works.

That's the undisputed message in the most comprehensive study of diversionary drug courts ever completed. The Urban Institute, the Center for Court Innovation, and RTI International, conducted the multi-volume study, “The Multi-Site Adult Drug Court Evaluation." Researchers evaluated 23 drug courts...

Cook County President Preckwinkle Declares “War on Drugs” a Failure

At a noontime rally in the Chicago loop last Friday, Cook County President Preckwinkle condemned the increasingly unpopular “war on drugs.”  She was the lone elected official openly criticizing the enforcement strategy, which dates back to Nixon’s presidency. Preckwinkle emphasized the excessive an...