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The Geography of Incarceration

A Special Report from the Boston Indicators Project in Partnership with MassINC and the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

Ben Forman
This paper explores the geography of incarceration in Boston, providing timely information as state leaders engage in an unprecedented effort to find strategies to operate our criminal justice system in a more cost-effective manner, and redirect the savings toward models that decrease crime and strengthen neighborhoods. The first phase of this federally-funded endeavor, which is read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice

Calling all Gateway City Leaders

An action Guide to Workforce Development Transformation in Massachusetts

Ben Forman
In Gateway City regions with an aging and under-skilled labor force, workforce development is an essential ingredient for future economic growth. This new “action guide” provides a helpful playbook for local leaders looking to engage in efforts to transform these systems. In plain English, the report breaks down workforce development to give municipal leaders a read more
Topic(s): Jobs and Economic Security, Strong Communities, Economic Development, Gateway Cities, Research

Justice Reinvestment At-A-Glance

Community Corrections

Ben Forman
This Justice Reinvestment At-a-Glance report examines community corrections. Community corrections is an enhanced form of probation. Instead of incarceration, individuals are sentenced to intensive services and supervision in the community. The data presented here show that—among individuals in Massachusetts convicted for offenses where community corrections may be appropriate—very few receive this alternative to incarceration.   read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice

Establishing Principles for Accountability

Perspectives from small-to-midsize urban districts and their allies

Ben Forman, Alexia Lipman, Andrew Bundy, Ryan Reyna, Lainy Fersh and Karla Baehr
The Next Generation Accountability Learning Community (NGALC) is a group of roughly two dozen New England education leaders who have come together to look at the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) from the perspective of small-to-midsize urban districts. Members of the NGALC gathered twice this summer to hear from experts and exchange ideas on this read more
Topic(s): Education

Exploring Foundational Questions For Next Generation Accountability

Alexia Lipman, Andrew Bundy and Ben Forman
These reflections have been prepared by the staff of the Next Generation Accountability Learning Community (NGALC). The NGALC is a group of roughly two dozen New England educators interested in the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) from the perspective of small-to-midsize urban districts. In the pages that follow, we summarize foundational questions read more
Topic(s): Education

Rebuilding Renewal

An Analysis of State Investment in Gateway Cities and a Work Plan for Delivering Transformative Development

Ben Forman, Daniel Hodge, Ian Jakus and Matthew O'Brien
Over the last decade, Massachusetts has fundamentally shifted its understanding of the needs and opportunities of small-to-medium-sized cities anchoring the Commonwealth’s regional economies. The state now places considerable priority on efforts to make these so-called Gateway Cities stronger drivers of growth. But, despite this focus, economic conditions in Gateway Cities remain fundamentally weak. As recent read more
Topic(s): Economic Development, Gateway Cities, Research

Harnessing the Power of Data for Justice Reinvestment in Massachusetts

Ben Forman and Joe Farrell
Data are increasingly the lifeblood of an effective criminal justice system. Modern technology allows agencies to collect and exchange high-quality, actionable information. These data help frontline workers make informed decisions that reduce risk. And they provide managers and policymakers with vital information for the optimal allocation of resources. The fifth installment in our Justice Reinvestment Policy read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice, Research

Mounting an Evidence-Based Criminal Justice Response to Substance Abuse and Drug Offending in Massachusetts

Ben Forman, Jonathan Jones and Abigail Hiller
Solutions to better treat and manage substance abuse are paramount to an effective Justice Reinvestment strategy. Too many residents suffering from substance use disorder continue to enter the criminal justice system, which struggles to help these individuals recover from a life-threatening disease. For many offenders, un- or undertreated substance abuse aggravates anti-social behavior and lengthens read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice, Research

Reducing Recidivism in Massachusetts with a Comprehensive Reentry Strategy

Jonathan Jones and Ben Forman
More than two-thirds of defendants sentenced to state and county prisons in Massachusetts have had prior incarcerations, according to new analysis presented in this policy brief. Comprehensive change is necessary to reduce this elevated level of repeat offending and improve public safety. The third installment in a series exploring various components of reform, this paper read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice, Research

Viewing Justice Reinvestment Through a Developmental Lens

New approaches to reducing young adult recidivism in Massachusetts

Ben Forman and Sarah Yee
Residents ages 18 to 24 are the most likely demographic to find their way into Massachusetts prisons and the quickest to return to them upon release. Innovative models to serve justice-involved young adults have enormous potential to reduce recidivism. These new approaches are also central to increasing public safety in high-crime neighborhoods, where young adults read more
Topic(s): Criminal Justice, Research
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