National Institute of Justice John B. Pickett Fellowship in Criminal Justice Policy and Management at the John F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, Final Report

• NCJ Number: 203983
• Date Published: June 2003
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 92-IJ-CX-0012
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description

Annotation

Based in part on interviews with more than 20 former Pickett Fellows, this report discusses the pivotal role that the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Pickett Fellowship has played in furthering innovative leadership within criminal justice.

Abstract

A brief history of the John B. Pickett Fellowship notes that in 1992 the NIJ established the John B. Pickett Fellowship in Criminal Justice Policy and Management at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Named for NIJ's first Director of Planning and Management, who died in 1990, the Fellowship was established to promote the careers of public servants like John Pickett. NIJ Pickett Fellows have been selected to attend the Kennedy School based on their demonstration of integrity, professionalism, and dedication to public service. In addition, Pickett Fellows must exhibit the motivation and values necessary to act as leaders in the field of criminal justice. Through the Pickett Fellowship, experienced professionals and senior government executives have participated in one of two Kennedy School programs: the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and Mid-Career Master's Degree in Public Administration. Since its establishment, Pickett Fellowships have been awarded to 73 individuals, who have had diverse backgrounds and a wide range of experiences and perspectives on criminal justice. Approximately half of the Fellowships have been awarded to individuals from local law enforcement agencies. In discussing the importance of their experiences and education they received as Fellows, just over 20 of them comment in this report on how the Pickett Fellowship has helped them see criminal justice within a larger context, "think outside the box," and improve their management and implementation skills. Overall, the Kennedy School has provided Pickett Fellows with a unique exposure to a wide range of ideas and people, which has encouraged innovative, creative thinking that has helped to form effective criminal justice leaders. Appended description of the Kennedy School's Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management