National Institute of Justice Response to National Academy of Sciences Evaluation, Strengthening the National Institute of Justice

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) today released an evaluation of the Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Requested and funded by NIJ, the evaluation examines the full range of NIJ programs and priorities in an effort to determine the agency's capacity for meeting the needs of the criminal justice field. An executive summary of the report is available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12929.

"We are grateful to ? and welcome ? this important evaluation of the National Institute of Justice by the National Academy of Sciences. The report results from our request for an independent review of the Institute's research priorities, direction and programs. We welcome the report's constructive suggestions ? as well as its recognition of NIJ's past contributions and accomplishments. As we await the arrival of NIJ's newly confirmed director, Dr. John H. Laub, we will be carefully reviewing the report?s recommendations. I am confident that they can serve as a helpful blueprint in providing direction for NIJ's future goals and priorities."

-Attributable to Kristina Rose, Acting Director of the National Institute of Justice.

###

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation?s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has seven components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; the Community Capacity Development Office, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at https://ojp.gov.