Policy Corner

CJRA represents the interests of criminologists on Capitol Hill and with the Administration to advocate for funding for criminal justice research programs, ensure access to data and statistics, and support policies that promote objective and evidence-based research. The Alliance assists policymakers across the political spectrum by summarizing published scholarly articles and identifying expert witnesses to speak to Committees, Members of Congress and Justice Department officials. Through these efforts, we have worked to increase funding for Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Institute of Justice, prevent reductions in authorization levels and assist Members of Congress and Congressional staff in oversight and legislative efforts.

CJRA does not take positions on any specific criminal justice policies or approaches, but instead, works to support research funding and access to data that allows the entire criminal justice research community to conduct objective research on a broad range of topics to help inform policymakers and the public.

The FY23 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 302(b) allocation letter co-signed by CJRA.

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Document that requests budgets for the Research, Evaluation, and Statistics account within the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, and Bureau of Justice Statistics, housed in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

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The CJS 302(b) allocation letter co-signed by CJRA.

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Document that is endorsed and supported by CJRA, COSSA, JRSA, American Statistical Association, and the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics regarding the BJS data issue.

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Flyer for the 2020 Ask a Criminologist briefing.

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Document featuring CJRA’s experts and research on race, policing and protests.

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CJRA joined other associations in asking for additional funding for the Research, Evaluation, and Statistics account within the Department of Justice budget.

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CJRA joined other associations in asking for the highest possible fiscal year (FY) 2021 allocation for the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittees.

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CJRA advocates for an increase in funding for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in FY 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bills.

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CJRA signed onto a letter in support of NIJ and BJS funding in COVID-19 responses.

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Letter to House and Senate Appropriations committees in which CJRA discusses challenges facing BJS and requests an increase in the BJS/NIJ budgets for FY 2021.

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Letter expressing concern about several important BJS data reports that have not been released.

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The CJRA/COSSA response (with appendix) to AAG Sullilvan’s letter about missing data collections and reports.

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Response from Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sullivan regarding several important BJS data reports.

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Letter to CJS Appropriations Regarding Missing Crime FBI Crime Data

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Letter to FBI Director Wray Regarding Missing Data Tables

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CJRA letter opposing the inclusion of offsets that would cut BJS and NIJ spending levels in the Fix NICS Act.

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Slide deck from 2018 Congressional “Ask a Criminologist” Briefing on Understanding Increases in Homicide Rates.

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Slide deck from 2017 Congressional “Ask a Criminologist” Briefing on Police Technologies.

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Information about the inaugural “Ask a Criminologist” Briefing on Capitol Hill in 2016.

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Information about “Ask a Criminologist” Event at Rayburn House Office Building in June 2019.

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Summary of CJRA’s role and policy advocacy.

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Letter to House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee leadership urging an increase in BJS and NIJ funding in the FY 2017 Appropriations process.

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Document featuring CJRA’s experts and research on immigration.

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Letter to U.S. Department of Justice and National Institute of Justice leadership urging an extension for the existing charter for the Science Advisory Board at the Office of Justice Programs.

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The Executive Council of the Division on Women and Crime (DWC) of ASC outlines a research and evidence-based response to the public comment section of proposed changes to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. As scientists and educators, DWC urges the Department of Education to conduct a thorough review of the research detailing the context and impact of sexual harassment and to ensure that any changes to Title IX guidance are data-driven.

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