This document lays out the background and implementation steps of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which works in partnership with states to address complex criminal justice challenges.
This brief document describes the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The JRI utilizes experts from The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) to work in partnership with states to analyze complex criminal justice challenges, develop and implement data-driven solutions, and maximize resources to achieve stronger communities and public safety. The document provides background on the establishment of JRI and how it works, and how states have used the JRI. It also lays out the five phases of launching a JRI program: orientation meetings; expression of interest and approval; working group or interagency task force creation; data sharing and analysis; and a description of JRI project phases.