A Model for Holistic Public Safety Show Progress: Criminal Justice Investment Initiative

By Alison Diéguez, Program Director

Patrick Hart, Program Director Neal Palmer, Research Project Director

CJII has invested in 52 organizations and supported more than 32,000 New Yorkers

An additional 55,000 people engaged in one-time workshops and trainings

The annual report of the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII), released today, shows that CJII has provided transformative support for thou­sands of people in New York by making significant community-based investments to keep people out of the criminal legal system and help make New York City safer.

Established in 2014 by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, CJII is a $250 million initiative to create a model of what holistic public safety could look like. It offers a replicable blueprint for civic leaders and private funders for how to effectively support people, programs, and neighborhoods to build safe communities without relying on excessive policing and incarceration.

The CJII annual report summarizes the impact to date of CJII investments in three key areas:

1. Supporting youth and families

2. Supporting survivors of crime

3. Enhancing diversion and reentry support for people involved in the criminal legal system

CJII’s comprehensive approach to public safety shows how investments in community-based initiatives increase opportunities, strengthen supports, heal prior trauma and injustice, and contribute to a stronger, safer city.

CJII-funded programs have directly supported more than 32,000 people in New York City. In addition, these programs have engaged at least 55,000 additional people in one-time workshops and trainings.

CJII Program Participant Quick Facts

CJII-funded programs have directly supported more than 32,000 people in New York City. In addition, these programs have engaged at least 55,000 additional people in one-time workshops and train­ings. Thus, CJII’s reach has extended to nearly 100,000 New Yorkers since its inception.

Age of CJII Participants

CJII participants have been relatively evenly divided among youth, young adults, and adults, reflecting CJII’s comprehensive investment strategy.

Race/Ethnicity of CJII Participants

CJII has primarily engaged people of color, who are disproportionately represented in the criminal legal system.

Criminal Legal System Involvement of CJII Participants

Across CJII, 38% of participants have had prior involvement with the criminal or juvenile legal system. The remainder represents survivors of crime or those with no involvement in the criminal legal system. This demonstrates CJII’s commitment to investing in programs that approach public safety as a continuum that requires attention not only to people who have been arrested or convicted of a crime, but also those who have survived crime, experienced violence, and young people who deserve care.

Lessons for Policymakers and Funders

The CJII annual report also highlights lessons for policymakers and funders looking to effectively support people, programs, and communities.

• Invest time in developing a plan with community input.

• Invest in strengthening data capacity.

• Invest in grassroots organizations.

• Diversify the portfolio by investing in both existing programs and new, innovative ideas.

• Take a broader view of public safety.

CJII serves as a template for change that policymakers and private funders can learn from, adapt, and implement in their own jurisdictions.

The City University of New York Institute for State and Local Governance manages technical assistance for CJII, including managing the solicitation and contracting process, providing guidance to award recipients, and providing capacity-building, oversight, and performance measurement throughout the lifetime of CJII.