New York City Criminal Justice Agency

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (NYC CJA) was founded in 1973. We are the city’s only pretrial agency. We interview people across the system and collect data. We share our findings with policymakers, court officials, legal experts, advocates, and the media.

We provide pretrial services to defendants and their families, including running the city’s only hotline. Our work focuses on criminal justice reform, pretrial services, and supervised release programs. Our services include intake assessments and connecting participants with education, employment, and community resources.

We also offer aftercare services for high-risk clients transitioning from supervised release. These services focus on behavioral health, housing readiness, and holistic recovery through field-based and office support. Additionally, our DART program conducts research to develop evidence that informs policy and practice within NYC’s justice system.

We aim to create a fairer, more equitable, and efficient criminal justice system in New York City. We believe courts should not detain individuals unnecessarily and that the system should help defendants return to their families and communities.

We emphasize equity, reform, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), client-centered care, and continuous program improvement. Our Supervised Release and Aftercare programs use person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches.

We employ 201 to 500 individuals. Our employees work in multidisciplinary teams, helping youth and adult participants navigate pretrial services and community resources.

We foster a culture that prioritizes ongoing professional development and staff support, with opportunities for learning and growth. Some roles may have hybrid work schedules and require flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and court appearances. We are committed to reducing detention and crime through our programs.

We offer health, dental, and vision insurance, along with comprehensive mental health and wellness benefits, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Paid time off includes four weeks of vacation per year and paid holidays. We provide a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.

We offer professional learning and development opportunities through partnerships, web-based and in-person training from vendors, and in-house job training.