The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), as a strategic partner in the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, recently released the report Innovations in Prosecutorial Practices: Lessons Learned from Safety & Justice Challenge Leadership Institutes, a compilation of information resulting from prosecutor-based peer exchanges.
The report focuses on the role of prosecutors in partnering with researchers and using data to reduce jail populations, lower caseloads, safely diminish racial and ethnic disparities, and enhance justice systems. Through the perspectives of four sites participating in the Safety and Justice Challenge, the report explores long-term, data-driven strategies; the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities; partnerships with tribal communities; and the use of pretrial risk assessments. It includes summaries of efforts such as:
- The Office of the District Attorney of New York County, New York’s Project Reset;
- The implementation of a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program by the Multnomah County, Oregon District Attorney’s Office;
- The Pennington County, South Dakota State’s Attorney Office’s Youth Adult Diversion Program; and
- The use of pretrial risk assessments by the Palm Beach County, Florida Criminal Justice Commission.
The report helps to fulfill APA’s goal of providing prosecutors and criminal justice partners with information, resources, and tools to develop and implement fairer and better alternatives to jail incarceration.
Access the report for more information.