Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $218,481)
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), New York Statistical Analysis Center (NY SAC) proposes three (3) projects, two core capacity and one special emphasis. Under the core capacity area, the NY SAC proposes to conduct the ATI/Re--Entry project which aims to reduce recidivism and incarceration and improve the outcomes of individuals involved in the justice system. DCJS invests $42 million annually to support the ATI/Re-Entry portfolio, which includes 80 ATI programs, jail-based programs, employment programs, and re-entry programs. Over the last decade, DCJS has worked to realign the ATI/Re-Entry portfolio to target limited criminal justice dollars for individuals at the greatest risk of continued criminal conduct. Funded program models were selected based on empirical evidence of their effectiveness in reducing incarceration and/or recidivism. The DCJS Data Dashboard Project will use program funds to support the development of interactive data dashboards to improve and expand public access to criminal justice data including criminal history and case processing information and crime data. DCJS houses the state’s computerized criminal history (CCH) data repository which includes arrests and court case outcomes and sentences. Along with CCH data, DCJS houses several other data sources including data on crime, hate crime, domestic violence victims, and information on law enforcement personnel to name a few. SJS funds will be used to transition statistical data from static Excel and PDF files to self-service data dashboards for users. Under the special emphasis area, the NY SAC proposes a project involving a comprehensive analysis of high users, who repeatedly cycle through state or local criminal justice agencies. These “high users” not only strain the justice system but also are often socially disadvantaged, facing additional challenges such as inadequate housing, poor health, and limited access to mental and behavioral health services. The recurrent involvement of these individuals in multiple public systems highlights a critical need for targeted interventions that can address their complex needs and reduce their cyclical interactions with the system. The proposed project aims to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of high users, publishing the outcomes on the agency’s website, and providing valuable information to policymakers in New York State.