WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) reintroduced legislation to create a Science Advisory Board at the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Board will be responsible for integrating scientific knowledge into crime-reduction efforts, as well as for using research, data, and evidence to guide the OJP’s grants, programs, and activities. The Improving Justice Programs through Science Act is cosponsored by Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05).
The Science Advisory Board was originally chartered by the Obama Administration in 2010 and provided OJP with guidance in proactive criminal justice reform efforts, including developing trauma-informed care, building trust between police and communities, and understating youth brain development and its implications for juvenile justice programs. The Board also made numerous contributions to the public safety investments of OJP, including guidelines for implementing and evaluating place-based crime reduction interventions and a tool for police departments to enhance communications with communities about their operations and successes.
“Americans want our criminal justice system to do its job — make all of us safer not just by punishing criminals today, but also by preventing crime in the future,” Rep. Dean said. Reducing recidivism and protecting our communities requires a deliberate strategy built on the best available data and science. The Improving Justice Programs through Science Act would create a Science Advisory Board to advise on evidence-based criminal justice policies and ensure that we are getting the highest quality data to inform future decisions. This is about getting the most out of our tax dollars, and making our streets safer today, tomorrow, and years from now.”
“In order to do justice, particularly with respect to juveniles, it is important that we have access to the best current research and information,” Rep. Scanlon said. “Advances in science which can promote both public safety and rehabilitation, and reduce recidivism, must be incorporated in our criminal justice system. I’m proud to join Rep. Dean in introducing this bill to make our justice system more effective and fair.”
This bill will establish a Science Advisory Board comprised of 26 criminologists and criminal justice researchers appointed by the Attorney General for terms of four years. The Board will:
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Meet on a regular basis to discuss the relationship between science, research, and ongoing criminal and juvenile justice departmental activities;
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Coordinate with other Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners; and
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Advise the Assistant Attorney General on policy development, program implementation, and evaluation; identify research needs and opportunities and make policy recommendations.
The Improving Justice Programs through Science Act is endorsed by American Psychological Association, American Political Science Association, American Sociological Association, Consortium of Social Science Associations, Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, and Union of Concerned Scientists. Congresswoman Dean previously introduced the Improving Justice Programs through Science Act during her first term, in the 116th Congress, as well as the 117th Congress.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
