Publications

Improving the Identification of and Responses to Victims of Elder Mistreatment

Oct 8, 2024

Results of a workshop conducted by RAND and RTI International indicate that the greatest need in the area of elder mistreatment is research to support evidence-based, culturally appropriate approaches and widespread adoption of effective programs.

Lynn Langton, Duren Banks, Madison Fann, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Law Enforcement Response to Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Law Enforcement Strategies

Sep 23, 2024

This report presents 23 expert-identified needs to inform efforts to improve the law enforcement response to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These needs focus on gaining a better understanding of this subject.

Dustin A. Richardson, Jeremy D. Barnum, Meagan E. Cahill, Dulani Woods, Kevin D. Lucey, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Community-Based Alternatives to Youth Incarceration

Sep 19, 2024

An expert panel explored issues associated with closing juvenile residential facilities and implementing community-based alternatives. The highest-priority needs centered on equity and disparity and on family engagement during the correction process.

Melissa M. Labriola, Samuel Peterson, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Using Data Governance and Data Management in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Strategy, Implementation, and Needs for Innovation

Sep 11, 2024

Deficiencies in the quality and interoperability of law enforcement data hamper law enforcement decisionmaking and operations. In this report, subject-matter experts discuss how data governance and data management can address these issues.

John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Samuel Peterson, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Incorporating Those with Lived Experience to Improve Community Supervision Outcomes

Aug 13, 2024

This report describes findings from a workshop that explored challenges and opportunities faced by community supervision agencies that partner with individuals with lived experience with the justice system.

Joe Russo, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Better Measures of Justice: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Data and Metrics in Policing

Jun 11, 2024

This report presents the 24 high-priority needs identified by subject-matter experts during workshop discussions on the challenges with extant police data collection and potential solutions for addressing them.

Jeremy D. Barnum, Meagan E. Cahill, Dulani Woods, Kevin D. Lucey, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Countering the Emerging Drone Threat to Correctional Security

Mar 13, 2024

Drones are being used to deliver contraband—such as drugs, cell phones, and weapons—into correctional institutions. This report presents findings from a workshop to explore key needs that must be met to better address this drone threat.

Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Technical Violations of Probation or Parole Supervision

Nov 6, 2023

This report presents findings from an expert panel that explored ways to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the handling of technical violations of probation and parole — violations that, while not criminal, can be a driver of incarceration.

Joe Russo, Samuel Peterson, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Improving Employment Outcomes for the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Returning Citizens

Jun 26, 2023

Gainful employment is a key factor in reducing recidivism, but individuals released from federal prisons face significant barriers to employment. This report presents findings from a workshop held to explore related challenges and opportunities.

Joe Russo, Samuel Peterson, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Needs for Law Enforcement

Jan 12, 2023

As cryptocurrency is increasingly used for both legitimate business transactions and illegal activities, law enforcement must adapt. In this report, researchers describe cryptocurrency-related research and development needs for law enforcement.

Dulani Woods, John S. Hollywood, Jeremy D. Barnum, Danielle Fenimore, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Reducing Deaths in Law Enforcement Custody: Identifying High-Priority Needs for the Criminal Justice System

Oct 11, 2022

On behalf of the National Institute of Justice, RTI International and the RAND Corporation convened a panel of experts to discuss challenges and potential solutions to developing and using a national data collection of law enforcement–related deaths.

Duren Banks, Michael G. Planty, Madison Fann, Lynn Langton, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Amplifying the Speakers: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Public Information Officers

Sep 8, 2022

Law enforcement communications staff are crucial to meeting public expectations for transparency and responsiveness to concerns, but little is known about their needs. Researchers held a workshop to identify priorities for improving the profession.

Michael J. D. Vermeer, Jeremy D. Barnum, Siara I. Sitar, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Intimate Partner Abuse Solution Programs: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System for Programs Focused on Intimate Partner Violence Prevention

Jul 27, 2022

Despite widespread use of intimate partner abuse solution programs by court systems and communities, there remains limited information on their effectiveness. The authors convened a panel of experts to better understand the needs of these programs.

Lynn Langton, Madison Fann, Duren Banks, Michael G. Planty, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Leveraging Technology to Support Prisoner Reentry

May 3, 2022

The corrections sector increasingly uses technology to provide supervision services and programs for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. Experts identified strategies for employing technology to improve reentry outcomes.

Joe Russo, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System

Feb 24, 2022

In this report, RAND researchers investigate the intersections between substance use disorder and sex trafficking and discuss how these issues complicate victims' identification and screening and their ability to access treatment and legal remedies.

Lynn Langton, Michael G. Planty, Duren Banks, Amanda R. Witwer, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Community Supervision in a Digital World: Challenges and Opportunities

Jul 26, 2021

Increased access to technology and corresponding increases in computer-facilitated crime have resulted in a greater number of tech-savvy individuals under supervision. Experts identified strategies to help officers manage their online activity.

Joe Russo, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Online Dispute Resolution: Perspectives to Support Successful Implementation and Outcomes in Court Proceedings

May 14, 2021

Online dispute resolution provides a forum for the resolution of court matters that was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of experts identified strategies to improve access to justice using these platforms.

Amanda R. Witwer, Lynn Langton, Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges

Apr 8, 2021

The Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a set of workshops with justice practitioners to take stock of responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. They identified key challenges, system innovations, and lessons for the future.

Brian A. Jackson, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Duren Banks, Sean E. Goodison, Joe Russo, Jeremy D. Barnum, Camille Gourdet, Lynn Langton, Michael G. Planty, Shoshana R. Shelton, Siara I. Sitar, Amanda R. Witwer

Wearable Sensor Technology and Potential Uses Within Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Officer Safety, Health, and Wellness Using Wearable Sensor Technology

Nov 2, 2020

Data from wearable sensor technologies (WSTs) could be used to assess and improve police officer health and well-being. A panel of experts identified ways to implement WSTs in law enforcement settings, evaluate them, and obtain buy-in from officers.

Sean E. Goodison, Jeremy D. Barnum, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Siara I. Sitar, Shoshana R. Shelton, Brian A. Jackson

Risk and Needs Assessments in Prisons: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Using Evidence-Based Practices

Sep 9, 2020

Prison systems are underresourced and might lack the capacity to implement risk and needs assessments that reduce recidivism. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve the use of these tools in prisons.

Joe Russo, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

The Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Law Enforcement Strategies for Addressing Homelessness

Aug 25, 2020

Police often are the first (and sometimes the only) point of government contact for persons experiencing homelessness. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve their response to homelessness.

Sean E. Goodison, Jeremy D. Barnum, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Siara I. Sitar, Brian A. Jackson

Autonomous Road Vehicles and Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Interactions With Autonomous Vehicles Within the Next Five Years

Jul 16, 2020

Autonomous vehicles promise many benefits, but questions remain about how law enforcement officers will interact with them. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Sean E. Goodison, Jeremy D. Barnum, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Tatiana Lloyd-Dotta, Brian A. Jackson

Countering Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Criminal Justice Strategies for Combating Nonconsensual Pornography, Sextortion, Doxing, and Swatting

Jun 18, 2020

Online platforms that enable users to interact virtually have given rise to new methods of perpetrating harassment and other criminal behaviors that compromise victims' privacy and safety. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Amanda R. Witwer, Lynn Langton, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Countering Drug-Impaired Driving: Addressing the Complexities of Gathering and Presenting Evidence in Drug-Impaired Driving Cases

May 7, 2020

Driving under the influence of drugs is a serious and growing threat to public safety. Addressing these cases involves identifying impairment and presenting complex evidence in court. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Camille Gourdet, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Michael G. Planty, Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Data-Informed Jails: Challenges and Opportunities

May 4, 2020

Jails produce vast amounts of data because of the expanding scope of services they are expected to provide. However, most jails are not using these data to improve operations or outcomes. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Joe Russo, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Fostering Innovation Across the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Opportunities to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Fairness

Mar 23, 2020

In this report, the authors draw on panel discussions from the five-year Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative and focus on needs that apply to law enforcement, the courts, and corrections agencies.

Brian A. Jackson, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Kristin J. Leuschner, Dulani Woods, John S. Hollywood, Duren Banks, Sean E. Goodison, Joe Russo, Shoshana R. Shelton

A Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation: Requirements for Developers and Funders: User Guide

Mar 5, 2020

Since 2015, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative has published more than 20 reports identifying and prioritizing criminal justice needs for innovation. This product provides a database of all of the needs generated during the Initiative.

John S. Hollywood, Brian A. Jackson, Annie Brothers, Mark Barrett, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer

Court Appearances in Criminal Proceedings Through Telepresence: Identifying Research and Practice Needs to Preserve Fairness While Leveraging New Technology

Jan 20, 2020

In 2018, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a workshop to explore the use of telepresence technology in the courtroom. Participants expressed the need for research-driven utilization to ensure that its full potential is realized.

Camille Gourdet, Amanda R. Witwer, Lynn Langton, Duren Banks, Michael G. Planty, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Conducting Criminal Investigations Involving Evidence on the Dark Web

Oct 29, 2019

An expert workshop of federal, state, and local law enforcement practitioners and researchers explored how law enforcement agencies should conduct criminal investigations while dealing with evidence on the dark web.

Sean E. Goodison, Dulani Woods, Jeremy D. Barnum, Adam R. Kemerer, Brian A. Jackson

Leveraging Technology to Enhance Community Supervision: Identifying Needs to Address Current and Emerging Concerns

Oct 28, 2019

An expert workshop of correctional administrators and researchers explored how technology can be used to address key challenges faced by community corrections agencies.

Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, George B. Drake, Brian A. Jackson

Law Enforcement Efforts to Fight the Opioid Crisis: Convening Police Leaders, Multidisciplinary Partners, and Researchers to Identify Promising Practices and to Inform a Research Agenda

Sep 6, 2019

An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified promising efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including connecting people to needed medications, effectively collaborating to achieve community buy-in, and protecting officers on the front lines.

Sean E. Goodison, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Jeremy D. Barnum, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Countering Threats to Correctional Institution Security: Identifying Innovation Needs to Address Current and Emerging Concerns

Jul 31, 2019

This report presents challenges and needs associated with threats to correctional institution safety and security. The authors sought to identify the key needs associated with mitigating the risks of these threats.

Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, John S. Shaffer, Brian A. Jackson

Fostering Innovation to Respond to Top Challenges in Law Enforcement: Proceedings of the National Institute of Justice's 2018 Chiefs' Panel on Priority Law Enforcement Issues and Needs

Jul 22, 2019

An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified challenges facing law enforcement today, and their priorities are presented in this report. Panel members discussed needs for innovation that, if pursued, might help resolve those challenges.

John S. Hollywood, Sean E. Goodison, Dulani Woods, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Brian A. Jackson

Prosecutor Priorities, Challenges, and Solutions

Apr 18, 2019

In March 2018, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened an expert panel to identify priority needs and solutions for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the prosecutorial component of the criminal justice system.

Daniel S. Lawrence, Camille Gourdet, Duren Banks, Michael G. Planty, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Managing the Seriously Mentally Ill in Corrections

Apr 2, 2019

This report presents the challenges and needs associated with how individuals with serious mental illness become justice-involved and how to achieve better outcomes before and after these individuals come under correctional control.

John S. Shaffer, Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Using Video Analytics and Sensor Fusion in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Business Cases, Privacy and Civil Rights Protections, and Needs for Innovation

Dec 28, 2018

Video technology is changing the ways that law enforcement works and interacts with the public. In this report, the authors explore some of the challenges posed and innovation needs in this emerging area.

John S. Hollywood, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Sean E. Goodison, Brian A. Jackson

Building a High-Quality Correctional Workforce: Identifying Challenges and Needs

Aug 7, 2018

This report, informed by a panel of experts, focuses on the challenges and opportunities related to building and maintaining a high-quality correctional workforce and provides a list of needs to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.

Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, George B. Drake, Brian A. Jackson

Using Social Media and Social Network Analysis in Law Enforcement: Creating a Research Agenda, Including Business Cases, Protections, and Technology Needs

Jul 18, 2018

This report describes the proceedings of an April 2017 expert workshop on the use of social media and social network analysis in law enforcement.

John S. Hollywood, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Sean E. Goodison, Brian A. Jackson

Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Access to Digital Evidence in Remote Data Centers

Apr 23, 2018

Researchers discuss the challenge of accessing data in remote data centers, summarize the discussion of an expert panel, and provide a list of needs identified and prioritized by the panel to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.

Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Electronic Communication and Electronic Devices on the Right to a Fair Trial

Apr 10, 2018

In this report, an expert panel identifies ways that electronic communication can impact the right to a fair trial and recommends strategies to protect witnesses from intimidation and jurors from compromising their independence.

Justin C. Dawson, Duren Banks, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Shoshana R. Shelton

Wearable Technologies for Law Enforcement: Multifunctional Vest System Options

Sep 8, 2017

This report reviews the current and projected status of wearable technologies with potential for use by law enforcement and describes three conceptual integrated vest systems that incorporate these technologies.

Richard Silberglitt, Andrew Lauland, Michael Watson, Christopher A. Eusebi, Jesse Lastunen

Caring for Those in Custody: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Reduce Mortality in Correctional Facilities

Nov 27, 2017

Presents the results of an expert panel focused on identifying and prioritizing ways to reduce mortality occurring in correctional facilities.

Joe Russo, Dulani Woods, John S. Shaffer, Brian A. Jackson

Envisioning an Alternative Future for the Corrections Sector Within the U.S. Criminal Justice System

Oct 26, 2017

To contribute to the policy debate on corrections, RAND interviewed a group of prominent correctional practitioners, consultants, and academics. This report outlines their perspectives on the state of corrections and their vision for the future.

Joe Russo, George B. Drake, John S. Shaffer, Brian A. Jackson

Fostering Innovation in U.S. Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for Improving Law Enforcement Operations and Outcomes

Aug 31, 2017

Presents the results a 2016 workshop in which a panel of law enforcement experts identifies high-priority needs for innovation in law enforcement, covering advances in technology, policy, and practice.

John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Sean E. Goodison, Andrew Lauland, Lisa Wagner, Thomas J. Wilson, Brian A. Jackson

Future-Proofing Justice: Building a Research Agenda to Address the Effects of Technological Change on the Protection of Constitutional Rights

Jan 10, 2017

In this report, RAND researchers, with the help of an advisory panel, craft a research agenda to prepare the U.S. legal system to address the effects of emerging technologies on individuals' constitutional rights, especially to due process.

Brian A. Jackson, Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, Justin C. Dawson

Using Future Broadband Communications Technologies to Strengthen Law Enforcement

Sep 26, 2016

This report describes the finding of an expert panel convened in September 2015 to discuss how law enforcement can best leverage future communications capabilities anticipated to be fielded over the next 10 to 15 years.

John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Andrew Lauland, Sean E. Goodison, Thomas J. Wilson, Brian A. Jackson

The Role of Technology in Improving K–12 School Safety

Apr 14, 2016

The report categorizes school safety technologies, summarizes research on school violence, presents six case studies of innovative technologies, and summarizes experts' views of technologies and safety problems and their rankings of technology needs.

Heather L. Schwartz, Rajeev Ramchand, Dionne Barnes-Proby, Sean Grant, Brian A. Jackson, Kristin J. Leuschner, Mauri Matsuda, Jessica Saunders

Fostering Innovation in the U.S. Court System: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for Improving Court Operations and Outcomes

May 10, 2016

The U.S. courts sector is challenged by high caseloads, resource constraints, and other trends, and this report seeks to frame an innovation agenda by identifying and prioritizing potential improvements in technology, policy, and practice.

Brian A. Jackson, Duren Banks, John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Amanda Royal, Patrick W. Woodson, Nicole J. Johnson

Improving Information-Sharing Across Law Enforcement: Why Can't We Know?

Sep 4, 2015

This report addresses ways to increase information-sharing among law enforcement's records management systems, computer-aided dispatch systems, and other key regional, state, and federal information repositories.

John S. Hollywood, Zev Winkelman

Using Future Internet Technologies to Strengthen Criminal Justice

Aug 17, 2015

This report discusses the technologies, needs, and overarching themes that were discussed during a RAND-conducted expert panel on the criminal justice community's need to take advantage of (and mitigate threats from) emerging web technologies.

John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Richard Silberglitt, Brian A. Jackson

Digital Evidence and the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Technology and Other Needs to More Effectively Acquire and Utilize Digital Evidence

Apr 20, 2015

This report describes results of a research effort to identify and prioritize criminal justice needs related to digital evidence collection, management, analysis, and use.

Sean E. Goodison, Robert C. Davis, Brian A. Jackson

Visions of Law Enforcement Technology in the Period 2024-2034: Report of the Law Enforcement Futuring Workshop

Mar 16, 2015

Describes the results of a July 2014 workshop in which a diverse group of law enforcement practitioners explored future visions of law enforcement and identified and prioritized needs in technology, policy, and practice based on those visions.

Richard Silberglitt, Brian G. Chow, John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Mikhail Zaydman, Brian A. Jackson

High-Priority Information Technology Needs for Law Enforcement

Jan 19, 2015

This study reports on strategic planning activities undertaken to support the National Institute of Justice in the area of information technology, collecting and analyzing data on law enforcement needs, and identifying potential solutions.

John S. Hollywood, John E. Boon, Jr., Richard Silberglitt, Brian G. Chow, Brian A. Jackson

Fostering Innovation in Community and Institutional Corrections: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for the U.S. Corrections Sector

Jan 6, 2015

The U.S. corrections enterprise is challenged by a variety of demographic, societal, and fiscal trends, and this report seeks to frame an innovation agenda by identifying and prioritizing potential improvements in technology, policy, and practice.

Brian A. Jackson, Joe Russo, John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Richard Silberglitt, George B. Drake, John S. Shaffer, Mikhail Zaydman, Brian G. Chow