Minnesota Justice Research Center

MNJRC'S MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. WE HELP OUR COMMUNITY CREATE A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ALIGNS WITH OUR COMMONLY-HELD VALUES. WE ARE NONPARTISAN AND SEEK TO BE BROADLY INCLUSIVE IN OUR DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY. WE STRIVE FOR HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT COMES TO THE VALUES AND GOALS GUIDING OUR WORK, AND NEVER COMPROMISE OUR RESEARCH FOR ANY PREDETERMINED AGENDA. BY HELPING OUR COMMUNITY IDENTIFY AND CLARIFY OUR VALUES AND GOALS FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE CAN BRING THE SYSTEM IN ALIGNMENT WITH THEM, MEASURE ITS EFFECTIVENESS, AND MAKE SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS. AS A STARTING POINT, THESE VALUES MUST INCLUDE HUMANE AND FAIR TREATMENT FOR ALL; PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY; AND PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.

WE MONITOR, RESEARCH, AND ANALYZE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS IMPACT; AND IDENTIFY AND CLARIFY THE COMMUNITY VALUES AND GOALS THAT WILL MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICIES AND PRACTICES. OUR WORK INCLUDES COMMUNITY-LED RESEARCH GUIDED BY OUR RESEARCH STEERING COMMITTEE; AND RESEARCH AND EVALUATION SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. MNJRC WORKS WITH PARTNER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDUCT PRACTICAL, HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND EVALUATION. WHETHER THIS IS AN ASSESSMENT OF LONG-STANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES OR ASSISTING WITH THE DESIGN OF AN EVALUATION MODEL FOR A NEW DIVERSION OR RE-ENTRY PROGRAM, OUR GOAL IS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WORKS, WHY IT WORKS, AND WHETHER IT IS EFFECTIVE. WE EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY, JUSTICE SYSTEM PROFESSIONALS, AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM THROUGH REPORTING, CONVENING, AND OTHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS. OUR ANNUAL RE-IMAGINING JUSTICE CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS, LEGAL EXPERTS, SCHOLARS, ADVOCATES, AND PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE SYSTEM TO RE-IMAGINE A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT FUNCTIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY, HUMANELY, AND WITH THE PUBLIC'S TRUST. WE DEVELOP AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES BASED ON OUR RESEARCH FINDINGS. WE ASSIST PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POLICY AND IN THEIR ADVOCACY EFFORTS AS APPROPRIATE.

WE EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY, JUSTICE SYSTEM PROFESSIONALS, AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM THROUGH REPORTING, CONVENING, AND OTHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS. OUR ANNUAL RE-IMAGINING JUSTICE CONFERENCE IS THE MAIN WAY WE DO THIS. THE CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS, LEGAL EXPERTS, SCHOLARS, ADVOCATES, AND PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE SYSTEM TO RE-IMAGINE A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT FUNCTIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY, HUMANELY, AND WITH THE PUBLIC'S TRUST.