Navigating challenges in data quality with transparency-minded prosecutors

• In Event: Peripheral Systems and Police Legitimacy

Abstract

Complete and reliable administrative data is critical in an era of government efficiency, calls for transparency, and AI-led analytics. Data used to create policy, to engage community, or to assess the work of departments should be complete, consistent, comprehensive, contextualized, and current. However, the justice system's administrative data infrastructure and quality are often limited, and pose challenges for practitioners to aggregate basic information for reporting, let alone see long term trends or evaluate program effectiveness. This presentation will draw on the experiences of a research team in engaging with elected prosecutors across jurisdictions who hope to make their data more transparent to the community for goal setting and accountability. We reflect on the most common gaps in data infrastructure and data collection in prosecutors offices, and highlight 3 case studies of how offices have implemented changes to overcome their data hurdles to varied success.

Authors

• Dominic Testino, Measures for Justice Institute

• Rhianna Hayes, Measures for Justice Institute