An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will be appointed to review and assess existing evidence on how observed racial differences in criminal justice might be reduced through public policy. As appropriate, the committee will make evidence-driven policy and research recommendations for key criminal justice stakeholders with the ultimate goal of identifying ways to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system. The panel will examine:
1. What societal forces have given rise to current inequalities in criminal behavior, victimization, and criminal justice involvement? How effective are efforts to reduce racial differences in criminal justice involvement, criminal behavior, and victimization (e.g. through education, housing policy, employment initiatives, illicit drug intervention)?
2. How has the criminal justice system exacerbated racial inequality in the United States? How effective are efforts to reduce racial differences in criminal justice involvement (e.g., implicit bias training, bail reform policies, risk assessment tools, etc.)?
3. Which policies or approaches for reducing racial differences in crime and justice have suggestive evidence of effectiveness or appear promising but require further study? What areas of research and policy should scholars and practitioners explore to broaden the nation’s options to address racial inequalities in the justice system?
The work will be done in two Phases. Phase I will host several data-gathering workshops to inform the committee’s final report. There will be a brief proceedings delivered after each workshop. Phase II will finalize the committee’s work and issue a final report according to institutional review guidelines.