2013 Partner: Louisville, KY[BETA]

Ongoing challenges in accessing and reporting jail data along with the inability to track offenders across systems as a result of data “silos” have negatively impacted the ability of Louisville Metro government to accurately diagnose systemic conditions and evaluate the outcomes of differential strategies and approaches for incarcerated individuals awaiting trial.  Louisville is a potential demonstration site for the Arnold Foundation to implement and evaluate data-driven pretrial justice strategies and ultimately to develop a national model for pretrial justice.  The CfA project will work to identify opportunities that enhance and improve the quality, consistency, and accuracy of data used to inform policy and assess programmatic outcomes for pre-trial justice reform.  More specifically, the fellows will also guide the development of technology tools and interfaces to facilitate tracking of defendants in pretrial status.

Goal: enhance local efforts in pre-trial justice reform

Key Outcomes:

• Improved data collection system capabilities and data accuracy related to pre-trial decision-making
• Improved use of data-driven decision making for pre-trial defendants
• Increased knowledge and skills for system personnel and criminal justice agency heads on jail and pretrial-based technological applications

Lead Agency:  Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission

Primary City Contacts: Kim Allen

Core Partners: The Arnold Foundation, Metro Louisville Technology Services, Kentucky PreTrial Services (housed in Kentucky Court of Justice and Administrative Offices of the Courts), Louisville Metro Department of Corrections

The Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF) played a uniquely important role in the 2013 fellowship program. Not only have they provided critical funding for the first two criminal justice fellowship projects in Louisville and New York City, but also worked extensively with potential applicant cities to ensure that the selected jurisdictions were positioned to make the most of this unique opportunity.