SJC Exchange Library

Originally posted by Lisa Petis on 06/10/2024

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Unfamiliarity with laws and practices, widespread misinformation, and conflicting research leave individuals with limited perspectives on how to improve the criminal justice system. People naturally gravitate toward like-minded peers and select news sources that reaffirm their beliefs, both of which reinforce this blind spot. Our series will highlight varying perspectives, pose critical questions, confront discrepancies, and introduce new ideas to counter this issue.

Some say perception is reality; others say knowledge is power. Accepting both statements as truth, this series will approach crime, safety, and intersecting social concerns from a place of curiosity, allowing readers to uncover answers themselves. We will explore perspectives from the political "left" and "right" and provide research and data to accompany them. We will also discuss data gaps and highlight further areas to explore.

The goal is for these candid insights to encourage constructive dialogue on complex criminal justice topics. Approaching an argument as a war inevitably creates winners and losers, but thoughtful discussions and collaborative solutions can lead to powerful win-win scenarios.

You can check out the intro post here 👇

The Crime and Safety Blind Spot: Introduction - R Street Institute

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Lisel Petis
Resident Senior Fellow for Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties
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