What is Project Justice NOLA?
Project Justice NOLA is a service offered to the community intended to provide descriptive information about the broad range of functions that make up the criminal justice system. Project Justice NOLA is independent of any public official, candidate for office, or political point of view. The content of Project Justice NOLA is prepared by a variety of experienced researchers and communicators.
Why Project Justice NOLA?
The mission of Project Justice NOLA is to assist individuals in making informed decisions about public safety issues. Relying on data, current research, and knowledge about practices proven to be effective, the Project Justice NOLA website provides information to the wider community about public safety, New Orleans’ criminal justice system, and criminal justice challenges facing our city.
Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the New Orleans criminal justice system has been the subject of investigations, studies, and reviews of various types. United States Department of Justice investigations into the Orleans Parish Prison and the New Orleans Police Department have raised questions regarding how well those institutions function, and the citizens of New Orleans have formed many opinions about the public officials who work in law enforcement, prosecution, public defense and the courts. Opinions about people, though, can sometimes blur facts about organizations. That is why Project Justice NOLA was started.
All public institutions, in theory, are intended to serve a public purpose. Often, it is not clear who is supposed to be doing what to promote public safety and ensure justice. The Project Justice NOLA website is dedicated to provide a guide for citizens about those functions. In the words if the iconic Joe Friday from the old television series Dragnet: “Just the facts…” How the facts are used to hold public officials accountable is up to the community.
On the site you will find links to additional relevant information, and places where you can let us know your thoughts. We welcome your ideas and questions, and hope you will read carefully for opportunities to share them.
Project Justice NOLA is supported by Baptist Community Ministries, a local private foundation committed to the attainment of a healthier community.