Stronger Leadership Action in L.A. Sheriff's Department Is Needed to Curb Problematic Subgroups
Sep 10, 2021
Justice Policy Publications
Publications from the RAND Justice Policy program cover topics related to public safety and the performance of the U.S. criminal justice system for federal law enforcement and other agencies, police departments, and other clients.
RAND Justice Policy also conducts research on topics related to civil justice through the RAND Institute of Civil Justice (ICJ).
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RAND Justice Policy publications are categorized in the following issue areas; some publications are cross-listed in multiple categories:
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Prior Punishments and Cumulative Disadvantage: How Supervision Status Impacts Prison Sentences November 10, 2021
This article explores one way prior punishments may contribute to cumulative disadvantage: through more severe sentencing of those under criminal justice supervision.
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Speeding While Black: Black Motorists Face More-Serious Charges for Excessive Speeding Than White Motorists Do October 4, 2021
Using data on speeding violations in Virginia, researchers examine whether there are racial disparities in who benefits from the discretion of law enforcement and the courts to discount or downgrade misdemeanor violations.
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Racial Disparities in Misdemeanor Speeding Convictions October 4, 2021
In Virginia, motorists accused of excessive speeding can face either a criminal misdemeanor or a traffic infraction, and the charge is at the discretion of law enforcement officers and the courts. In this report, researchers use data on speeding violations in 18 Virginia counties over a nine-year period to examine whether there are racial disparities in who benefits from this discretion and why these racial disparities might exist.
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SAFE Charlotte: Alternative Response Models and Disparities in Policing September 28, 2021
Under contract with the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, the authors evaluated three policing and public-safety recommendations featured in the city's SAFE Charlotte: Safety and Accountability for Everyone report. They describe their findings in this report.
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Understanding Subgroups Within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department: Community and Department Perceptions with Recommendations for Change September 10, 2021
RAND Corporation researchers studied deputy subgroups within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) to help LASD and the county learn more about how these subgroups are formed, why they exist, what actions might be taken if it is determined that these subgroups have a significant impact on LASD's mission, and whether subgroups have affected community perceptions and trust in LASD.
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A Better Path Forward for Criminal Justice: A Report by the Brookings-AEI Working Group on Criminal Justice Reform September 1, 2021
In this volume, experts offer policymakers with analysis and recommendations to support sustained, bipartisan reforms to move the criminal justice system toward a more humane and effective footing.
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Reentry, Desistance, and Identity Achievement August 31, 2021
This report is based on two foundational beliefs: Reentry policy needs to be based on a theoretical desistance model, and the empirical evidence supports a desistance model that involves movement toward a positive pro-social identity.
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Helping Los Angelenos Involved in the Criminal Justice System Get and Keep Jobs August 16, 2021
The authors summarize findings of a process and outcome evaluation of Project imPACT, an employment program for individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system, which provided services from July 2018 to December 2020.
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Project imPACT Cohort 1 Final Local Evaluation Report August 16, 2021
Project imPACT is an employment-focused program for individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system, designed by the Los Angeles City Mayor's Office and funded by the California Board of State and Community Corrections from funding available from Proposition 47. The authors summarize findings from a process and outcome evaluation of Cohort 1 of Project imPACT, which provided services from July 2018 to December 2020.
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The Unrealized Promise of Forensic Science: A Study of Its Production and Use August 3, 2021
To better understand the actual role of forensic science, we collected data on the prevalence and use of forensic evidence in five jurisdictions in multiple stages of the criminal process.