"The question of mandated versus voluntary treatment is a distraction from the primary issue: There are simply not enough high-quality treatment slots for the number of New Yorkers who need them," our CEO Courtney Bryan says in a letter to the editor of @nytimes.com. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...

Yesterday @innovatingjustice.bsky.social, I had the chance to welcome former NIJ director Nancy LaVigne as the new dean of @runscj.bsky.social, along with another former NIJ director and great colleague, Jeremy Travis. Congrats on your new role, Nancy!

Millions of people have their first encounter with the justice system in municipal courts. When they prioritize support over punishment, these courts can help ensure those encounters will also be the last. www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/muni...

Far too many people struggling with mental health and substance use issues endure life-threatening conditions on Rikers Island instead of getting the care they need. Three new bills passed by @council.nyc.gov aim to change that. ⤵️

Every detail of the mural and recreational space was developed with residents who told us they wanted something for every generation, not just the youngest children. 🏀 www.bxtimes.com/patterson-ho...

Based on a true story, “Punch” brings to Broadway a close-up look at a restorative justice process. We’re partnering with Manhattan Theatre Club to bring you discounted tickets, post-show conversations, and more. Previews begin 9/9. 🎫 Enter code RESTORE here: www.telecharge.com/Punch-Tickets

How do we ensure the safe use of AI in the justice system? In the six months since we released this publication, AI has only further begun to reach into the criminal justice system. But the core principles we laid out apply now more than ever. www.innovatingjustice.org/resources/a-...

When we’re hurting, what we often need the most can be the hardest thing to do: talk about it. Rooted in centuries-old indigenous practices, restorative justice circles invite everyone involved to really listen to each other. But what do these circles actually look like in practice?

NYC lawmakers to vote on jail reform bills tied to Rikers Island and its closure https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-lawmakers-to-vote-on-jail-reform-bills-tied-to-rikers-island-and-its-closure

From facial recognition to writing up incident reports, AI is already being embedded into the criminal justice system. Revisit our primer on the uses of AI in the justice system, where we explore how it can be used responsibly and where courts and justice agencies should draw the line.

Lower-level offences make up over 80% of all criminal cases, yet prosecuting such cases can substantially increase people’s chances of coming into the justice system again. We lay out ways to implement reforms to increase early case resolution for most people arrested for lower-level misdemeanors.⤵️

How can we move forward in the aftermath of harm? That question is at the heart of restorative justice, an approach to addressing harm and conflict that uses the power of dialogue and community to move forward. ⤵️

When they come together, courts, government agencies, community organizations, and tenants have the power to change the harmful cycle of housing insecurity and justice system involvement. Learn more about the challenges that fuel the cycle and how we can address them. ⤵️

🧵 We have lost so many beautiful souls to fatal overdoses. They were so loved, and still are. On International Overdose Awareness Day (#IOAD), we mourn. And then we get to work. We'll continue providing life-saving support across our communities, advocating for evidence-backed #HarmReduction...

When our default response to harm is punishment and isolation, it’s hard to imagine a different path forged with dialogue and understanding. But if we’re willing to risk it, setting foot on that path can bring us all closer to genuine accountability and repair. ⤵️

"Back when I was a kid, I was sitting in one of these benches waiting for a judge. Now I'm here hanging up my own artwork." Learn about the power of art to create a more supportive and healing environment for those coming into court: www.innovatingjustice.org/resources/se...

If you or a loved one are facing eviction, we may be able to help. ⤵️ Visit www.innovatingjustice.org/focus-area/h... for more information about our housing resources at Red Hook Community Justice Center, Harlem Community Justice Center, Community Justice Connect, and Newark Community Solutions.

Based on a true story, “Punch” brings to Broadway a close-up look at a restorative justice process. We’re partnering with Manhattan Theatre Club to bring you discounted tickets, post-show conversations, and more. Previews begin 9/9. 🎫 Enter code RESTORE here: www.telecharge.com/Punch-Tickets

"This isn’t a city that wants more punishment; it’s a city that wants more compassion." Read this new op-ed from Jocelynne Rainey, President of Brooklyn Org, which shows New Yorkers see affordable housing, accessible mental health services, and community care as central to quality of life. ⤵️

How do we protect the mental health of those working with trauma? Listen as we discuss vicarious trauma and the risk of burnout with some of our staff, who share what’s needed to break the cycle. 🎧 www.innovatingjustice.org/resources/vi...

New York City has a vital network of violence prevention advocates working to combat gun violence. What if that network could be tapped to address gender-based violence, too? Learn more about the new Men Rising initiative today: www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/men-...

Peers who’ve been down a similar road can show young people that they don’t have to change who they are to reimagine their futures. Read more this #InternationalYouthDay ⤵️ www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/how-...

As our Red Hook Community Justice Center marks its 25th anniversary, we spoke with Project Director Thaddeus Canty about what makes Red Hook so unique and why his own experiences have been so vital to informing the way he leads. www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/thad...

What would it look like for courts to respond to trauma with care and compassion? ➡️ Learn more today: www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/how-...

JJ Velazquez served nearly 24 years for a murder he didn’t commit. A unique prison arts program transformed him into an actor and activist.

Ending gender based violence calls for everyone to rise up. We're proud to announce the launch of the new Men Rising initiative, which mobilizes men already leading gun violence prevention efforts in the Bronx and Harlem to actively address gender-based violence. ⤵️

Too often, people who are closest to the gun violence crisis are told that they have to change who they are to lead safer lives. It takes peers who’ve been down a similar road themselves to show young people they don’t have to change who they are in order to rewrite their futures.

Project Reset gives people charged with minor offenses a chance to reflect, take accountability, and strengthen their connection with the community without ever stepping foot in court. Hear from participants and staff about how Project Reset creates a pathway toward a brighter, more hopeful future.

Check out this webinar tomorrow:

“There is no question that this is the highest possible honor a book like this could ever receive,” said Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, winner of the 2025 #InsideLiteraryPrize for his book Chain-Gang All-Stars. www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/2025...

Congratulations to the winner of the 2025 Inside Literary Prize: Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 🎉 Thank you to all of our judges and organizers for making this groundbreaking award possible. Find out more about the Prize here: www.innovatingjustice.org/inside-liter...

300 judges. 12 prisons. 24 live discussions. 1 winner. Find out the winner of the second annual #InsideLiteraryPrize tonight: www.innovatingjustice.org/inside-liter...

Join the Council on Criminal Justice to explore the impact of policing domestic violence with a panel of experts including our CEO Courtney Bryan. 📅 July 15 ⏰ 12:00 PM ET 📍 Zoom: bit.ly/4014Emo

Too often, people who are closest to the gun violence crisis are told that they have to change who they are to lead safer lives. It takes peers who’ve been down a similar road themselves to show young people they don’t have to change who they are in order to rewrite their futures.

“Even as we sat within the walls of the facility, we were exploring the world together through language.” 📚 In New Jersey a group of seventeen women gathered to discuss four shortlisted books for the Inside Literary Prize—the first book award in the US judged exclusively by incarcerated readers.

For far too many in the U.S., Father’s Day is a grim reminder that incarceration affects entire families, not just the people behind bars. Keeping parents out of jail & prison is critical to protect children from the known harms of parental incarceration. (Made with Girls For A Change)

"Young people are the closest people to being affected by and impacted by gun violence. We feel like the adults have all the answers to everything, and the young people are telling you what they need, feel, and deserve.” – Anthony Rowe, Neighbors in Action Project Director.

How do we know if violence prevention efforts are working? And how can we adapt responses to build safer communities? This publication offers guidance for tribal justice systems aiming to strengthen their responses to violent crime with data-driven approaches. ⤵️

Is there a burnout crisis among mental health practitioners? ICYMI, listen to our latest episode of New Thinking, where you’ll hear from some of our staff about their experiences with vicarious trauma and how we can support those struggling with it. www.innovatingjustice.org/resources/vi...

“Justice for trans people means addressing the systemic harms that criminalize identity and limit freedom before trial ever begins.” Read this powerful piece from @pretrialjustice.bsky.social about how #Pride and pretrial justice are entwined: www.pretrial.org/insights/blo...

Our communities are safest when they have resources, support, and hope. 🧡 This #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth, learn how our teams across the Center are preventing gun violence by advancing justice in all its facets. www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/many...

As the Inside Literary Prize helps to show, books can be a lifeline for those who are incarcerated. This can be especially true for our LGBTQ+ community, who find solace in the library. www.themarshallproject.org/2023/11/03/p...

Put your paws together for the new Castle Hill dog park in the Bronx! 🐾 Bronx residents and their canine companions can now come together for sun, fresh air, and connection at NYCHA's first ever dog park. 🐶 Find out more: www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/put-...

“What is the root cause of the conflict?” ⬇️ Neighbors in Action Project Director Anthony Rowe says that’s what our Save Our Streets teams ask when mediating conflicts. Revisit this article from @wttw.bsky.social to learn how our program expanded on the Chicago model of violence interruption.

Learn more about the winners of our inaugural Innovation Fund and how the seed funding harnesses the creativity of our teams to drive powerful change. 🔗 www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/inno...

Our staff have always been at the forefront of our mission to build innovative solutions hand-in-hand with communities. That's why we launched the Innovation Fund, providing seed funding of $25,000 and $225,000 to staff members with bold ideas for how we can address the needs they see every day. 👇

Making justice a reality relies on countless case managers, mental health counselors, peer mentors, and more. But many of the people who deliver these services are navigating trauma. Hear from our staff about their experiences with vicarious trauma and how we can support those struggling with it.

Mental health resources are already difficult to access, yet anti-Blackness in the system can make it unreachable for some. As we move through #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth and approach #Juneteenth, expanding our ideas of mental health policies to include racial equality remains a community need.

“It takes a dog park to get people together for them to talk and communicate. All of a sudden everybody knows each other's name,” said Jose Carrion, a resident and dog owner at Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx, where a new dog park has just opened for neighbors to enjoy together. 🐕 @gothamist.com

Burnout and vicarious trauma can take a serious toll on people who devote their lives to supporting others. Here’s how we can help change that. www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/prev...