Measuring and Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Criminal Legal System Data

• In Event: Leveraging Data for Impact: Estimating the Effects of Proposed Reforms and Measuring and Addressing Racial Disparities

Abstract

This panel will provide guidance to jurisdictions on how to address racial disparities in criminal legal system data. The session will include a brief introduction to the SJC, situate disparities in the SJC context and outline the importance of measuring disparity. After this introduction, the session will provide guidance for jurisdictions to begin to address disparities by 1) understanding what race/ethnicity data you have, 2) detailing how to measure and interpret disparities at different points in the criminal legal system, and 3) building the capacity to continue to track and measure progress. Finally, this presentation will introduce a process to diagnose and disrupt disparities by pinpointing the specific points of disparity, understanding the populations impacted, and designing strategies that effectively target those populations to mitigate and reduce racial disparities.

Authors

• Cecilia Low-Weiner, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance

• Brandon Martinez, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance

• Erin Sheena, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance