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It is with profound sadness that the National Institute of Justice and the CrimeSolutions team acknowledge the passing of a dedicated researcher, scholar, and leader in the corrections research field. Dr. Latessa served as a Senior Researcher on the CrimeSolutions program since its inception. NIJ and all those who have worked on CrimeSolutions owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

Dr. Latessa was a Professor and Director of the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. For CrimeSolutions, Dr. Latessa was a Senior Researcher since 2010 and conducted more than 200 courts and corrections program reviews and close to 30 practice reviews. He published more than 170 works in criminal justice, corrections, and juvenile justice and directed more than 195 funded research projects, including studies of day reporting centers, juvenile justice programs, drug courts, prison programs, intensive supervision programs, halfway houses, and drug programs.

In 2013, Dr. Latessa was identified as one of the most innovative people in criminal justice by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance national survey of criminal justice leaders. He nurtured countless new investigators and students along their career paths, many of whom would ultimately become noted scholars.

Dr. Latessa's contribution to the cause of justice in the United States goes far beyond his work with CrimeSolutions. The legacy he leaves our field is rich and meaningful, and his loss is deeply felt by so many.