Webinar on Advancing Equitable Research in the Criminal Legal System

Webinar
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Live via Zoom
Poster that reads transforming evidence into action in front of a covening room.

Webinar Overview

J-PAL North America’s Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy (IECP) supports randomized evaluations of strategies to build a more effective and fair criminal legal system by providing funding through targeted request-for-proposal cycles. This webinar will introduce the inaugural Request for Proposals, including guidance on how to apply, the types of projects IECP seeks to support, and resources available for funded projects.

IECP recognizes that racial disparities are deeply embedded across many aspects of the US criminal legal system, from pretrial decisions to sentencing and reentry. The persistent nature of racial inequality suggests that past and current policy approaches aiming to remedy racial disparities have not been sufficient. Researchers and policymakers alike are seeking rigorous evidence on what interventions can reduce disparities and advance racial equity while improving safety and fairness.

Understanding how randomized evaluations can be used in the economics of crime to examine racial disparities is key to building a credible body of policy-relevant evidence. To provide researchers with guidance on how to conduct randomized evaluations at this important intersection, this webinar will highlight researchers conducting evaluations in the economics of crime to: 

  • Share insights from their projects and how they embed racial equity into research design and methods.
  • Discuss challenges and lessons learned in conducting research at the intersection of crime and racial equity.
  • Highlight how this research can inform policy decisions and improve outcomes in the criminal legal system.

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Agenda

10:35am - 10:40am | Introductions 

10:40am - 10:50am | RFP Overview 

10:50am - 11:20am | Researcher Presentations 

  • 10:50am - 11:05am | Understanding Demand for Police Alternatives
  • 11:05am - 11:20am | Blind Justice: Algorithmically Masking Race in Prosecutorial Charging Decisions

11:20am - 11:50am | Audience Q&A 

11:50am - 11:55am | Closing and Next Steps

Presentation Descriptions

Presentation 1: Understanding Demand for Police Alternatives 

This project examines how communities respond to the availability of non-police crisis response options. By studying whether residents turn to alternative responders in place of traditional policing, the project seeks to understand how these approaches can reduce racial disparities in law enforcement interactions and promote safer, more equitable outcomes.

Presenter: Bocar Ba, Associate Professor, Duke University 

Presentation 2: Blind Justice: Algorithmically Masking Race in Prosecutorial Charging Decisions

This project explores whether concealing racial and demographic information from prosecutors during charging decisions can mitigate bias and promote fairness in the criminal legal process. By rigorously testing how blinded decision-making affects prosecutorial outcomes, the study provides evidence on a promising reform aimed at addressing racial disparities in charging.

Presenter: Alex Chohlas-Wood, Assistant Professor, New York University

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