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Civil Rights

Commentary
No Company Should Be Able to Keep You from Checking Your Government's Math
Data and computer models are becoming more and more important for making policy decisions on everything from prison sentences to tax bills. But citizens should be able to “check the math” on decisions that affect them.
Jan 18, 2017
News Release
Rise of Technology in Criminal Proceedings Poses Risk to Protecting Individuals' Rights
Personal devices like fitness trackers and smartphones are likely to be used increasingly in criminal investigations. Such technology offers new tools to law enforcement, but raises unique issues regarding constitutional rights such as self-incrimination.
Jan 10, 2017
Report
Preparing the U.S. Legal System for Emerging Technologies
Personal technology gathers data that can be useful in criminal justice proceedings. But this can also pose challenges for protecting individual rights. Identifying future conflicts ahead of time can help.
Jan 10, 2017
Report
College of Policing Stop and Search Training Experiment: Process Evaluation
This report presents findings from the process evaluation of the College of Policing's Stop and Search Training Pilot, produced by RAND Europe, in partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Oxford.
Oct 27, 2016
Commentary
Reform of 'Stop and Search' Requires Effective Communication
The UK's Home Office commissioned the development of a new training package and standard of practice for the use of stop and search. As the program is rolled out nationally, officers need to receive consistent and persuasive messages about the purpose and goals of the training.
Oct 27, 2016
News Release
Re-establishing Border Controls in Europe Could Cost Up to €3 Billion a Year
Re-establishing border controls across Europe would cost €2 to 3 billion in annual operating costs, plus fixed one-off costs of anywhere between €0.1 and €19 billion. There would also be significant social and political costs.
Oct 13, 2016
Dissertation
Police, Process, and Privacy: Three Essays on the Third Party Doctrine
This dissertation presents the results of three studies that investigate how law enforcement uses electronic surveillance.
Oct 13, 2016
Commentary
Why Re-Establishing Border Controls in Europe Could Come at a High Cost
Reversing the Schengen agreement would come at a high economic cost, while undoing many of the positive social and political developments of the past decade.
Oct 13, 2016
Journal Article
The Costs of Reintroducing Border Controls in Europe
The Schengen Agreement in 1985 led to the end of border controls across 26 European nations. Reintroducing these controls would cost billions of euros in economic costs. Social and political costs would also be substantial.
Oct 12, 2016
Essay
How Will Technology Change Criminal Justice?
In perhaps no other field does society have as direct a stake in getting technology right as in policing. How will technology change the work that law enforcement agencies do and the communities they serve?
Jan 7, 2016
News Release
Internet Technology Could Aid Police, Courts and Prisons; Resolving Privacy Issues Key to Future Use
New Internet-based technology may aid criminal justice agencies through promising tools such as better criminal databases, remotely conducted trials, and electronic monitoring of parolees. But many of the developments raise issues related to civil rights, privacy, and cybersecurity that must be addressed.
Aug 17, 2015
Report
Internet Technology Could Aid Police, Courts, and Prisons
New Internet-based technology may aid criminal justice agencies through promising tools, such as better criminal databases, remotely conducted trials, and electronic monitoring of parolees. But many of the developments raise issues related to civil rights, privacy, and cybersecurity that must be addressed.
Aug 17, 2015
Report
Effects of Stigma and Discrimination Reduction (SDR) Trainings Conducted Under the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
An evaluation of SDR trainings by two CalMHSA program partners indicated effectiveness in addressing a variety of stigma-related attitudes, beliefs, and intentions, but also revealed greater effectiveness with some groups than others.
Aug 10, 2015
News Release
Internet Freedom Software Tools Developed by the United States Do Not Facilitate Cybercrime
Software tools created by the U.S. State Department to encourage the free flow of information online and on mobile phone networks are not likely to be used by criminals to pursue illegal activities. While some have the potential to be used for illicit purposes, there are numerous alternative technologies that are better suited.
Jun 30, 2015
Report
Internet Freedom Software Tools Do Not Facilitate Cybercrime
Software tools created by the U.S. State Department to encourage the free flow of information online and on mobile phone networks are not likely to be used by criminals to pursue illegal activities. While some have the potential to be used for illicit purposes, there are alternative technologies that are better suited.
Jun 30, 2015
Commentary
The USA Freedom Act: The Definition of a Compromise
The USA Freedom Act does not “balance” privacy and national security, nor is it clear that any legislation can credibly do so. There's no monolithic view of what such a balance should look like.
May 29, 2015
Commentary
'Product of Mexico': Why Have Corporate/Social Responsibility Programs Failed?
The Fair Food Program has been a leader in using cooperation, visibility, and accountability to meet the needs of workers, growers, and buyers. Can it be a model for addressing these critical issues in Mexico as well?
Dec 12, 2014
Commentary
The Time Is Ripe for Evidence-Based Child Policy in the UK
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. Even in the UK there are still children who live in poverty and inequality, who experience violence, and who are not afforded rights on par with their peers.
Nov 20, 2014
Commentary
Wal-Mart Chooses Fairness, Giving Farmworkers a Boost
The recent commitment by Wal-Mart Stores to the Fair Food Program is a transformational moment in the decades-long struggle for fair treatment of agricultural workers in America but the decision is hardly the last human-rights battle to be won on behalf of this long-oppressed work force.
Feb 7, 2014
Commentary
After NSA Spying Revelations, US Must Reform Rules on Secrecy and Data
The U.S. should make two key reforms. First, the over-designation of material as classified makes it is harder to protect the few real secrets; this must be change. Second, the FISA court must become a gatekeeper for NSA access to communications data.
Nov 14, 2013

RAND Topic:
Civil Rights

Topic Synonyms:
Civil Liberties