It’s not simply about providing classes. It’s about reducing administrative barriers so incarcerated students can maintain momentum despite transfers, as well as feel supported after release so they can continue on their journeys to success and stability.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. We’re spotlighting a few of our partners who’ve committed to making mental health services more widely available, particularly for underserved groups.  

An evaluation team at the Center for Complex Trauma is using a community-based participatory research approach to understand how the Center for Trauma Innovation in East Harlem implemented a unique trauma-informed program.

In East Harlem, the Center for Trauma Innovation is supporting the healing journeys of individuals impacted by the criminal legal system with unique strategies to build relationships, provide innovative services, and respond to community needs.  

A snapshot of the work we’ve done this summer: debuting work across the country, from an innovative model for community investment in New York City to prosecutorial dashboards in Washington State; kicking off a Grassroots Policy Incubator to bring local leaders to the table; and going north of the border to optimize state governments in Canada.

Participatory research gives community stakeholders a voice in evaluating the programs designed to support them. It creates partnerships between them and evaluation staff to understand program implementation processes, identify challenges, and propose recommendations.  

For the first time in Snohomish County’s history, this collective data allows for a holistic picture of the functioning of the local criminal legal system, from the point of initial contact with law enforcement through the disposition of a case.

Initial funding for restorative justice programs is part of $16.5 million multiyear initiative.

Action research is a form of inquiry that emphasizes collaboration between researchers and practitioners to solve real-world problems. CUNY ISLG intentionally chose this model for probation reform to maximize the relevance and applicability of Reducing Revocations Challenge research to conditions on the ground, and ensure practical solutions that could drive real change.

These findings provide evidence that advancing equitable and thoughtful criminal legal reform is possible without compromising safety to the community.

The PPPI brings together students from across CUNY schools, fields of study, and degree programs to be a part of the work CUNY ISLG researchers, policy administrators, data scientists, and budget experts are doing in New York City and across the country.