What is 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 issues facing our city.
Why Project Justice NOLA?
Public safety is a concern shared by everyone who lives in New Orleans, yet there are few sources of accurate, in-depth information on the topic readily available to the public. In the absence of actual data, people make decisions based on personal experience and anecdotal information. But what we think we know or believe to be true about public safety and criminal justice is often very different from what the science of criminal justice tells us. This website will give citizens access to data and research that will assist them in forming knowledge-based opinions about criminal justice issues and creating positive change in their communities.
Who is Project Justice NOLA?
Project Justice NOLA is supported by Baptist Community Ministries, a local private foundation committed to the attainment of a healthier community. BCM funds programs in four zones of interest: Education, Health, Public Safety, and Governmental Oversight.
The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is a local partner in this effort. NOPJF fosters a safer city by creating a cooperative public-private environment in which all criminal justice agencies can attain their maximum operational capability and productivity.
We encourage all interested organizations concerned with criminal justice and public safety issues to partner with us in promoting the dissemination of accurate, reliable information. Please contact us if you would like to join our effort.
Our History
June 2007
The New Orleans City Council endorsed a set of initiatives recommended by The Vera Institute, a nationally known criminal justice reform organization it had invited to research the city’s criminal justice problems.
October 2007
Key criminal justice leaders signed a Statement of Commitment to plan and implement the recommended initiatives working together as a group called The Criminal Justice Leadership Alliance.
The Alliance studied Vera’s advice and agreed on four initial goals: expedited charging, pretrial release, alternative sanctions, and creation of a community court. The Alliance has been working together to study progress made in other cities to lower crime and make the criminal justice system work more fairly and cost effectively.
January 28, 2010
Baptist Community Ministries, The Vera Institute, and City Council Criminal Justice Committee Chair James Carter invited candidates for Mayor and Council to a Criminal Justice Leadership Seminar to receive updates on ongoing efforts.
Fact-Sheet & Recommendations (PDF)
February 25, 2010
The New Orleans City Council received an update on progress achieved through CJLA’s Expedited Screening and Disposition Initiative (PDF).
April 7, 2010
Jon Wool, Director of the Vera Institute New Orleans office, along with New Orleans Police Assistant Superintendent Kirk Bouyelas, presented to the New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee a report entitled Use of Summonses and Custodial Arrests for Municipal Offenses.
April 29, 2010
Vera Institute New Orleans Director Jon Wool and Senior Program Associate Marissa Arrona were joined by retired Judge Calvin Johnson, of the Metropolitan Human Services District, in a presentation to the New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee regarding public intoxication cases. The focus was a non-criminal, non-arrest approach through use of a sobering center. Watch the video of the presentation.
July 14, 2010
Members of the City Council Criminal Justice Committee heard a report from The Vera Institute of Justice regarding the proposal for a pilot program to develop and begin operation of a Pretrial Services System in New Orleans. Watch the presentation here.