Creating Winning Innovations in Criminal Justice

The article describes lessons learned from government innovations, the value of collaboration, the vital need for flexibility, and the importance of new information technologies. Lessons learned from government in the 14 years of the Innovations in American Government Program include: (1) define a mission clearly and in terms of compelling public programs; (2) define challenging but achievable outcomes against which to measure performance; (3) collaborate with other agencies whenever possible; (4) build partnerships with the private and nonprofit sectors; (5) respect the talents of frontline workers; (6) identify clearly the citizens and groups entitled to your services and focus as sharply as possible on their needs; (7) if the agency's tasks involve regulation, consider working with the regulated parties to meet common objectives through compliance, rather than depending entirely on traditional enforcement; (8) consider how market forces may complement the provision of public goods and services; (9) use information technology to improve services to citizens; and (10) be flexible, take risks, and don't give up. Note