Center for Justice Innovation

We are a community justice organization founded in 1996 as the Center for Court Innovation. We focus on safety and racial justice by working with communities, courts, and individuals impacted by the justice system. We develop new responses to crime and harm, invest in communities to address local challenges before they reach the justice system, and pursue housing justice initiatives to help residents secure and maintain homes. We also work to reduce harm and violence by supporting healing from trauma and meeting community needs. We redesign systems like courts and jails to better serve individuals entering the justice system and their communities.

Our work includes Community Courts, Problem-Solving Justice, Justice Reform, Public Policy, Research, Treatment Courts, Alternatives to Incarceration, Juvenile Justice, Violence Reduction, Diversion, Restorative Justice, Bail Reform, Youth Programming, Human Trafficking, Justice-Involved Women, Addressing Trauma, Risk Assessment, Access to Justice, Procedural Justice, Tribal Justice, Addressing Racial Disparities in Justice, Reentry, Housing Insecurity, and Justice-involved Families. We conduct research to understand community challenges and evaluate our programs. As of 2024, we have provided services in over 360,000 alternative-to-incarceration cases in New York and New Jersey, helped over 48,000 residents with housing needs in New York and New Jersey, and served more than 40,000 participants in our Supervised Release programs between 2016 and 2024. We work with hundreds of jurisdictions in every state and beyond.

Our mission is to reimagine justice and build safe communities. We believe communities are essential to transforming justice. Our work prioritizes safety and racial justice, and we aim to build bridges between communities and government to create safe, thriving neighborhoods.

We employ nearly 1,000 individuals, a team that includes attorneys, social workers, community organizers, researchers, urban planners, trainers, mentors, and people with lived experience in the justice system. We promote a restorative, equity-centered workplace culture and value collaboration, diversity, and inclusive practices. Many of our Midtown Manhattan-based positions offer a hybrid schedule. We also develop programs to support the engagement, well-being, and professional development of staff with lived experience.

We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare coverage with a national network, free basic dental coverage, and vision insurance. We also provide short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts, including a commuter FSA. Mental health care services are available through Talkspace and Ginger. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.