Transforming Criminal Justice

"This book does two things – both important – and it does them exceedingly well. First, in an era in which reform of the criminal legal system is a top priority for many, it provides a collection of essays across the entire system, from policing to incarceration and re-entry. Second, it does so from a deeply evidence-based perspective, so reform can be both effective and enduring. The editors are to be congratulated in assembling this impressive gathering of expertise, in a volume that many will find informative and engaging." ~Barry Friedman, author of Unwarranted: Policing without Permission

"In today’s fraught national discourse on the future of criminal justice reform, the ideas found in this ambitious and timely volume are particularly welcome. The book is chock-full of creative new approaches, from participatory defense as a movement-building strategy to temporary guaranteed income to support successful reentry. Other chapters promote structural changes in prosecutorial charging practices, sentencing policies, recidivism metrics, and sentinel event reviews. These ideas presented here are animated by a refreshing insistence on policies that reflect solid evidence, not political posturing. Taken together, they provide a platform for advocates committed to the hard work of unwinding our country’s harmful and ineffective criminal justice apparatus." ~Jeremy Travis, author of But They All Come Back: Facing the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry

"An impressive ensemble of scholars and practitioners with a wealth of knowledge on the workings—and failures—of the criminal justice system. Drawing upon empirical research, contributors provide evidence-based solutions to address criminal injustices in policing, courts, and corrections with special attention to issues of class, race, and gender. Transforming Criminal Justice is a must-read collection for policymakers, practitioners, academics, and laypeople interested in promoting accountability, harm reduction, and justice." ~Maya Pagni Barak, co-author of Capital Defense: Inside the Lives of America’s Death Penalty Lawyers