Using Future Internet Technologies To Strengthen Criminal Justice

• NCJ Number: 249118
• Author(s): John S. Hollywood; Dulani Woods; Richard Silberglitt; Brian A. Jackson
• Date Published: January 2015
• Length: 32 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Identifying the Highest Priority Criminal Justice Needs
• Grant Number(s): 2013-MU-CX-K003
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Grant Sponsored); Conference Material
• Award: Identifying the Highest Priority Criminal Justice Technology Needs

Annotation

This is a report on the deliberations of an expert panel, sponsored by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), that discussed how the criminal justice community can benefit from and avoid the risks of emerging Internet technologies.

Abstract

The panel, which was composed of 16 experts on both Internet technologies and criminal justice, identified 45 technology needs. The overall consensus was the criminal justice enterprise's need to leverage web technologies to improve information-sharing and security. Top priority was given to the development of a uniform criminal history record and cataloging system, the development of real-time language translation capabilities, and the development of displays ("dashboards") to meet officers' need for tailored, dynamic information. Other priorities identified by the panel included general education on key web technologies and the development of model policies and procedures for using them. In addition, panelists agreed that the criminal justice networking infrastructure must be improved in order to support web technologies and other applications, particularly for the administration of courts and corrections. Panelists also identified needs related to leveraging wearable and embedded sensors, with an emphasis on their use to improve officer health and safety. Permeating all of these uses of web technologies was panelists' frequent mention of the importance of cyber-security upgrades that protect privacy and civil rights. 3 tables, 2 figures, a 34-item bibliography , and appended list of panelists and descriptions of panel work aids