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The public still has to decide how much tracking power police should hold — and who is accountable when that power is misused.

 Flock cameras expand police power: citizens must act at what cost? Join the conversation in Houston Amid Some Privacy Concerns Flock Cameras and the Public Trust Question Learn More New research examines what is driving these arrests and what we can do about it. Beyond Aggravated Assault: Structural Solutions for Houston Youth Learn More Journal of Clinical Psychology Understanding Suicide and Violent Crime Learn More The Hidden Cost of Interrupting Violence Mapping Trauma Exposure in Community Violence Learn More Centering Collaboration and Voice of the Formerly Incarcerated to Enact Transformation Dismantling the Carceral State in Educational Practices Learn More From Food Stamps to Handcuffs and the Racialized War on Intersectional Disadvantage
 An Examination of Welfare Fraud Outcomes in Texas Learn More prev 0{{current_slide_index}} / next

Why CJR Matters

We empower public agencies and communities to address pressing justice challenges through objective research, practical solutions, and technical assistance.

Objective Data & Benchmarking

We provide actionable data—such as crime trends, system performance benchmarks, and outcome metrics—allowing states, agencies, and communities to make informed comparisons and measure progress. Our work helps guide policy, improve public safety, and promote accountability.

Translational Research and Community Input

Our translational research model bridges academic findings and everyday practice, ensuring that research results in tangible improvements across the justice system. We actively incorporate community input, partnering with stakeholders and system-impacted individuals so recommendations reflect real needs.

Technical Assistance and Training

We support the implementation of effective policies and programs through tailored technical assistance, capacity-building, and training for justice agencies and practitioners. Our expertise helps organizations adopt best practices and navigate evolving justice challenges.

Legislative and Policy Support

Our objective analyses and evidence-based insights inform legislation, funding decisions, and reform initiatives at the state and local levels. We aid policymakers by providing the data and recommendations needed to advance effective, legally sound practices.

Commitment to Service

Our work is driven by a mission-focused team dedicated to public service, neutrality, and procedural fairness.  Despite resource challenges, we deliver reliable research and support to strengthen justice systems and improve outcomes.

The Center for Justice Research is a trusted resource for data, solutions, and collaborative problem-solving—helping states and communities build a safer, more effective justice system.

Objective Data & Benchmarking

We provide actionable data—such as crime trends, system performance benchmarks, and outcome metrics—allowing states, agencies, and communities to make informed comparisons and measure progress. Our work helps guide policy, improve public safety, and promote accountability.

Translational Research and Community Input

Our translational research model bridges academic findings and everyday practice, ensuring that research results in tangible improvements across the justice system. We actively incorporate community input, partnering with stakeholders and system-impacted individuals so recommendations reflect real needs.

Technical Assistance and Training

We support the implementation of effective policies and programs through tailored technical assistance, capacity-building, and training for justice agencies and practitioners. Our expertise helps organizations adopt best practices and navigate evolving justice challenges.

Legislative and Policy Support

Our objective analyses and evidence-based insights inform legislation, funding decisions, and reform initiatives at the state and local levels. We aid policymakers by providing the data and recommendations needed to advance effective, legally sound practices.

Commitment to Service

Our work is driven by a mission-focused team dedicated to public service, neutrality, and procedural fairness.  Despite resource challenges, we deliver reliable research and support to strengthen justice systems and improve outcomes.

The Center for Justice Research is a trusted resource for data, solutions, and collaborative problem-solving—helping states and communities build a safer, more effective justice system.

Objective Data & Benchmarking

We provide actionable data—such as crime trends, system performance benchmarks, and outcome metrics—allowing states, agencies, and communities to make informed comparisons and measure progress. Our work helps guide policy, improve public safety, and promote accountability.

Translational Research and Community Input

Our translational research model bridges academic findings and everyday practice, ensuring that research results in tangible improvements across the justice system. We actively incorporate community input, partnering with stakeholders and system-impacted individuals so recommendations reflect real needs.

Technical Assistance and Training

We support the implementation of effective policies and programs through tailored technical assistance, capacity-building, and training for justice agencies and practitioners. Our expertise helps organizations adopt best practices and navigate evolving justice challenges.

Legislative and Policy Support

Our objective analyses and evidence-based insights inform legislation, funding decisions, and reform initiatives at the state and local levels. We aid policymakers by providing the data and recommendations needed to advance effective, legally sound practices.

Commitment to Service

Our work is driven by a mission-focused team dedicated to public service, neutrality, and procedural fairness.  Despite resource challenges, we deliver reliable research and support to strengthen justice systems and improve outcomes.

The Center for Justice Research is a trusted resource for data, solutions, and collaborative problem-solving—helping states and communities build a safer, more effective justice system.

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NEW REPORT

Houston Public Safety Needs Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of public safety needs across Houston communities, examining resources, gaps, and equitable solutions.

READ THE REPORT
Center for Justice Research · Texas Southern University

Researcher Development Program

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Impact of Criminal Justice Involvement on Maternal Health and Infant Outcomes

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Impact of Criminal Justice Involvement on Maternal Health and Infant Outcomes

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Our Research

We advance solutions through research, innovation, advocacy, and strategic dissemination.

Research Model
Group of police officers standing in front of a police car.
Policing

Evidence-based insights for law enforcement leaders

Police departments face evolving challenges and need reliable data to make informed decisions. Our research examines use of force patterns, evaluates reform initiatives, and analyzes oversight mechanisms to determine what improves both public safety and community trust. We provide chiefs, sheriffs, and policymakers with rigorous analysis of policing strategies, officer-involved incidents, and accountability systems.

Learn More
Prosecutorial Decision-Making

Research to inform charging, diversion, and case management

Prosecutors manage substantial caseloads while balancing public safety, justice, and resource constraints. Our work examines how charging decisions are made, evaluates the outcomes of different prosecutorial strategies, and analyzes diversion program effectiveness. We help district attorneys and state attorneys assess which approaches achieve their goals most effectively while managing court system capacity.

Learn More
Reducing Violent Crime

Research on violence drivers and prevention strategies

Communities across the political spectrum seek effective approaches to reduce violence. Our research identifies economic, environmental, and social factors associated with violent crime, and evaluates different intervention strategies. From examining adolescent firearm decision-making to analyzing what distinguishes high-violence cities, we provide evidence to inform both enforcement and prevention approaches that communities can tailor to their values and needs.

Learn More
Understanding Community Perspectives

Research incorporating directly impacted voices

Effective policy requires understanding how justice system practices affect communities and individuals. Our research systematically gathers perspectives from those with direct experience—including individuals navigating the system, community members, and justice professionals. This research provides decision-makers with insight into how policies work in practice, helping identify both intended and unintended consequences of different approaches.

Learn More
Risk Assessment

Testing prediction tools for reliability and fairness

Justice agencies increasingly use risk assessment tools to inform decisions about pretrial release, sentencing, and supervision. Our research rigorously evaluates whether these tools predict accurately across different populations and contexts. We provide practitioners with evidence about which tools perform well, where they show limitations, and how to interpret results appropriately for better-informed decisions.

Learn More
Group of police officers standing in front of a police car.
Policing

Evidence-based insights for law enforcement leaders

Police departments face evolving challenges and need reliable data to make informed decisions. Our research examines use of force patterns, evaluates reform initiatives, and analyzes oversight mechanisms to determine what improves both public safety and community trust. We provide chiefs, sheriffs, and policymakers with rigorous analysis of policing strategies, officer-involved incidents, and accountability systems.

Learn More
Prosecutorial Decision-Making

Research to inform charging, diversion, and case management

Prosecutors manage substantial caseloads while balancing public safety, justice, and resource constraints. Our work examines how charging decisions are made, evaluates the outcomes of different prosecutorial strategies, and analyzes diversion program effectiveness. We help district attorneys and state attorneys assess which approaches achieve their goals most effectively while managing court system capacity.

Learn More
Reducing Violent Crime

Research on violence drivers and prevention strategies

Communities across the political spectrum seek effective approaches to reduce violence. Our research identifies economic, environmental, and social factors associated with violent crime, and evaluates different intervention strategies. From examining adolescent firearm decision-making to analyzing what distinguishes high-violence cities, we provide evidence to inform both enforcement and prevention approaches that communities can tailor to their values and needs.

Learn More
Understanding Community Perspectives

Research incorporating directly impacted voices

Effective policy requires understanding how justice system practices affect communities and individuals. Our research systematically gathers perspectives from those with direct experience—including individuals navigating the system, community members, and justice professionals. This research provides decision-makers with insight into how policies work in practice, helping identify both intended and unintended consequences of different approaches.

Learn More
Risk Assessment

Testing prediction tools for reliability and fairness

Justice agencies increasingly use risk assessment tools to inform decisions about pretrial release, sentencing, and supervision. Our research rigorously evaluates whether these tools predict accurately across different populations and contexts. We provide practitioners with evidence about which tools perform well, where they show limitations, and how to interpret results appropriately for better-informed decisions.

Learn More
Substance Use and Justice System Responses

Evaluating different approaches to substance-related offenses

Jurisdictions take varied approaches to substance use-related offenses, from enforcement to treatment-focused strategies. Our research examines outcomes across different policy models, documents disparities in how substance use cases are handled, and evaluates treatment diversion programs. From opioid crisis responses to cannabis policy changes, we help decision-makers understand the effects of different approaches in their communities.

Learn More
Substance Use and Justice System Responses

Evaluating different approaches to substance-related offenses

Jurisdictions take varied approaches to substance use-related offenses, from enforcement to treatment-focused strategies. Our research examines outcomes across different policy models, documents disparities in how substance use cases are handled, and evaluates treatment diversion programs. From opioid crisis responses to cannabis policy changes, we help decision-makers understand the effects of different approaches in their communities.

Learn More
Social and Economic Context

Research on structural factors affecting justice outcomes

Justice system contact doesn’t occur in isolation—it’s influenced by housing, employment, health care access, and community resources. Our research examines how these structural factors correlate with crime rates and justice system involvement. From economic segregation patterns to health disparities, we provide data on contextual factors that decision-makers across multiple sectors—not just criminal justice—may wish to consider when developing community safety strategies.

Learn More
School Discipline

Research on discipline practices and student success

School leaders seek discipline approaches that maintain safe learning environments while supporting all students’ educational progress. Our research documents patterns in suspension and expulsion rates, analyzes their relationship to long-term outcomes, and examines disparities across student groups. We provide educators and administrators with evidence to evaluate their discipline policies and consider alternatives that align with their educational mission.

Learn More
Policy Analysis

Translating research into policy context

Our scholars analyze urgent policy questions and synthesize research findings to inform legislative and administrative decisions. These analyses bridge rigorous research and real-time policy debates, helping decision-makers understand what evidence exists, where questions remain, and how different jurisdictions have approached similar challenges. We provide context without prescribing specific policy positions, allowing leaders to apply findings to their local context and values.

Learn More
Social and Economic Context

Research on structural factors affecting justice outcomes

Justice system contact doesn’t occur in isolation—it’s influenced by housing, employment, health care access, and community resources. Our research examines how these structural factors correlate with crime rates and justice system involvement. From economic segregation patterns to health disparities, we provide data on contextual factors that decision-makers across multiple sectors—not just criminal justice—may wish to consider when developing community safety strategies.

Learn More
Building Research Capacity

Infrastructure and training for evidence-based practice

Implementing any approach—whether reform-oriented or traditional—requires research capacity and data infrastructure. Our work builds the networks, training programs, and analytical tools that help justice systems and communities make evidence-informed decisions aligned with their values. From developing diverse researcher pipelines to creating data dashboards, we provide the capacity needed to evaluate outcomes and continuously improve practice.

Learn More
School Discipline

Research on discipline practices and student success

School leaders seek discipline approaches that maintain safe learning environments while supporting all students’ educational progress. Our research documents patterns in suspension and expulsion rates, analyzes their relationship to long-term outcomes, and examines disparities across student groups. We provide educators and administrators with evidence to evaluate their discipline policies and consider alternatives that align with their educational mission.

Learn More
Building Research Capacity

Infrastructure and training for evidence-based practice

Implementing any approach—whether reform-oriented or traditional—requires research capacity and data infrastructure. Our work builds the networks, training programs, and analytical tools that help justice systems and communities make evidence-informed decisions aligned with their values. From developing diverse researcher pipelines to creating data dashboards, we provide the capacity needed to evaluate outcomes and continuously improve practice.

Learn More
Improving Reentry

Research on successful transition from incarceration

Most individuals leaving incarceration seek to rebuild their lives and avoid future justice system involvement. Our research examines factors associated with successful reintegration, evaluates supervision and support programs, and identifies barriers to stability. We help reentry programs, probation departments, and corrections agencies assess which strategies are associated with better outcomes for returning citizens and their communities.

Learn More
Improving Reentry

Research on successful transition from incarceration

Most individuals leaving incarceration seek to rebuild their lives and avoid future justice system involvement. Our research examines factors associated with successful reintegration, evaluates supervision and support programs, and identifies barriers to stability. We help reentry programs, probation departments, and corrections agencies assess which strategies are associated with better outcomes for returning citizens and their communities.

Learn More
Policy Analysis

Translating research into policy context

Our scholars analyze urgent policy questions and synthesize research findings to inform legislative and administrative decisions. These analyses bridge rigorous research and real-time policy debates, helping decision-makers understand what evidence exists, where questions remain, and how different jurisdictions have approached similar challenges. We provide context without prescribing specific policy positions, allowing leaders to apply findings to their local context and values.

Learn More
View More
Group of police officers standing in front of a police car.
Policing

Evidence-based insights for law enforcement leaders

Police departments face evolving challenges and need reliable data to make informed decisions. Our research examines use of force patterns, evaluates reform initiatives, and analyzes oversight mechanisms to determine what improves both public safety and community trust. We provide chiefs, sheriffs, and policymakers with rigorous analysis of policing strategies, officer-involved incidents, and accountability systems.

Learn More
Prosecutorial Decision-Making

Research to inform charging, diversion, and case management

Prosecutors manage substantial caseloads while balancing public safety, justice, and resource constraints. Our work examines how charging decisions are made, evaluates the outcomes of different prosecutorial strategies, and analyzes diversion program effectiveness. We help district attorneys and state attorneys assess which approaches achieve their goals most effectively while managing court system capacity.

Learn More
Reducing Violent Crime

Research on violence drivers and prevention strategies

Communities across the political spectrum seek effective approaches to reduce violence. Our research identifies economic, environmental, and social factors associated with violent crime, and evaluates different intervention strategies. From examining adolescent firearm decision-making to analyzing what distinguishes high-violence cities, we provide evidence to inform both enforcement and prevention approaches that communities can tailor to their values and needs.

Learn More
Understanding Community Perspectives

Research incorporating directly impacted voices

Effective policy requires understanding how justice system practices affect communities and individuals. Our research systematically gathers perspectives from those with direct experience—including individuals navigating the system, community members, and justice professionals. This research provides decision-makers with insight into how policies work in practice, helping identify both intended and unintended consequences of different approaches.

Learn More
Risk Assessment

Testing prediction tools for reliability and fairness

Justice agencies increasingly use risk assessment tools to inform decisions about pretrial release, sentencing, and supervision. Our research rigorously evaluates whether these tools predict accurately across different populations and contexts. We provide practitioners with evidence about which tools perform well, where they show limitations, and how to interpret results appropriately for better-informed decisions.

Learn More
Substance Use and Justice System Responses

Testing prediction tools for reliability and fairness

Justice agencies increasingly use risk assessment tools to inform decisions about pretrial release, sentencing, and supervision. Our research rigorously evaluates whether these tools predict accurately across different populations and contexts. We provide practitioners with evidence about which tools perform well, where they show limitations, and how to interpret results appropriately for better-informed decisions.

Learn More
Social and Economic Context

Research on structural factors affecting justice outcomes

Justice system contact doesn’t occur in isolation—it’s influenced by housing, employment, health care access, and community resources. Our research examines how these structural factors correlate with crime rates and justice system involvement. From economic segregation patterns to health disparities, we provide data on contextual factors that decision-makers across multiple sectors—not just criminal justice—may wish to consider when developing community safety strategies.

Learn More
School Discipline

Research on discipline practices and student success

School leaders seek discipline approaches that maintain safe learning environments while supporting all students’ educational progress. Our research documents patterns in suspension and expulsion rates, analyzes their relationship to long-term outcomes, and examines disparities across student groups. We provide educators and administrators with evidence to evaluate their discipline policies and consider alternatives that align with their educational mission.

Learn More
Policy Analysis

Translating research into policy context

Our scholars analyze urgent policy questions and synthesize research findings to inform legislative and administrative decisions. These analyses bridge rigorous research and real-time policy debates, helping decision-makers understand what evidence exists, where questions remain, and how different jurisdictions have approached similar challenges. We provide context without prescribing specific policy positions, allowing leaders to apply findings to their local context and values.

Learn More
Building Research Capacity

Infrastructure and training for evidence-based practice

Implementing any approach—whether reform-oriented or traditional—requires research capacity and data infrastructure. Our work builds the networks, training programs, and analytical tools that help justice systems and communities make evidence-informed decisions aligned with their values. From developing diverse researcher pipelines to creating data dashboards, we provide the capacity needed to evaluate outcomes and continuously improve practice.

Learn More
Improving Reentry

Infrastructure and training for evidence-based practice

Most individuals leaving incarceration seek to rebuild their lives and avoid future justice system involvement. Our research examines factors associated with successful reintegration, evaluates supervision and support programs, and identifies barriers to stability. We help reentry programs, probation departments, and corrections agencies assess which strategies are associated with better outcomes for returning citizens and their communities.

Learn More
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