Homepage - Council on Criminal Justice

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications on public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the Report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the Report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the Report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications on public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the Report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the Report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the Report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications on public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the Report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the Report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the Report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of
Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications for public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of
Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications for public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Council Launches National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

A Shared Vision for the Future of
Criminal Justice Policy

In a time of great division, CCJ is working to find common ground in pursuit of safety and justice for all. That’s why we helped convene leading national organizations from across the political spectrum to co-create a set of bipartisan principles for criminal justice policy.

DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts

CCJ's Justice in Perspective series, led by Senior Fellow Amy Solomon, released a new report examining the scope of recent DOJ funding cuts and their implications for public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.

Read the report

Year-End 2024 Crime Trends Report

CCJ’s analysis of 2024 crime trends finds that homicide and most other violent crimes have fallen below pre-pandemic levels in a sample of 40 U.S. cities. The report also finds year-over-year decreases in 12 of 13 offenses, with only reported shoplifting continuing its recent rise.

Read the report

Meet the Women's Justice Commission

CCJ’s newest initiative is the national, nonpartisan Women’s Justice Commission, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The diverse panel is examining the unique challenges facing women in the justice system and developing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to advance safety, health, and justice.

2024 Annual Report: Our Impact

Despite the deep polarization afflicting our nation, the Council surged forward in 2024 with its mission to use data and evidence to bridge partisan and ideological divides and advance safety and justice for all. Check out highlights of CCJ’s initiatives and wide-ranging impacts.

Read the report

How big is the footprint of the criminal justice system, and how has it changed over time?

This new resource is a one-stop shop tracing decades-long changes in crime and victimization, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision.

Check out the footprint

Grounding Criminal Justice Policy in Facts and Evidence

Upclose Spotlight

“When the very people [who] we are called to serve don’t see equity and fairness in our service, our work is literally being done in vain. We have to … create a safe space for collectively reimagining our approach to justice issues.”

“Our staff is our most valuable asset, and they have very difficult jobs ... We want our staff to feel valued, have the tools to be successful through training and professional development, and have pathways for their careers.”

“The criminal justice system is the one system that has escaped accountability. [There is] very little transparency, and we’ve extended power to those who work in the criminal justice system without that accountability”

“When the very people [who] we are called to serve don’t see equity and fairness in our service, our work is literally being done in vain. We have to … create a safe space for collectively reimagining our approach to justice issues.”

“Our staff is our most valuable asset, and they have very difficult jobs ... We want our staff to feel valued, have the tools to be successful through training and professional development, and have pathways for their careers.”

Latest Posts

Event Recording: Behind the Walls: A Conversation on Prison Conditions in America

Leaders from the Council on Criminal Justice’s Centering Justice project led a thoughtful discussion on how prison conditions affect those who live and work behind bars—and what that means for safety, fairness, dignity, and accountability.

Trends in Gun Theft

Evidence suggests that stolen guns may play a significant role in violent crime, but data on gun thefts is limited. This report examines data on reported gun theft incidents across various jurisdictions.

Unpacking the President’s 2026 Budget

This brief by Amy Solomon and Betsy Pearl explores what the president’s budget proposal signals for safety and justice grant funding administered by the Justice Department.

Council Launches National Task Force to Guide Integration and Oversight of AI in Criminal Justice

In partnership with RAND, the diverse expert panel will examine the transformative potential and substantial risks of AI in the criminal justice system.

State Legislators Share Insights on Local AI Regulation

Before the launch of the Council’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, a bipartisan group of state legislators spoke with CCJ to share their concerns and insights as they navigate the adoption of this emerging technology in their states.

The Value of NCVS–and How to Improve It

Given the administration’s interest in the NCVS, we surveyed several CCJ members and other experts to ask how NCVS adds to their knowledge about crime patterns and what changes could improve its value and cost-effectiveness.