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Sentencing and sanctions

Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders

June 2009

The panel presentations from the 2009 NIJ Conference are based on an NIJ-sponsored evaluation of the effectiveness of Kansas Senate Bill 123, which mandates community-based drug abuse treatment for drug possession by nonviolent offenders in lieu of prison. 

What Works in Probation and Parole

June 2009

How can we prevent reoffending and reduce costs? Research points to a number of solutions. At the Tuesday plenary, Judge Steven Alm from Hawaii will describe his successes with hard-core drug offenders. “Swift and sure” is his motto. West Virginia Cabinet Secretary James W. Spears will discuss the issues from his state's perspective, and Adam Gelb, Director of the Pew Charitable Trust's Public Safety Performance Project, will lend a national overview.

Sentencing data (United States Sentencing Commission)

Explore data from the United States Sentencing Commission. The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency within the judicial branch of the federal government. The Commission's primary mission is to promulgate and amend the federal sentencing guidelines. The Commission's other responsibilities include: (1) establishing a data collection, analysis, and research program to serve as a clearinghouse and information center for information on federal sentencing practices...

Notifying Sexual Assault Victims When Evidence Is Tested

April 2014

Interview with Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Watch Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz discuss what Houston is learning about the role of notifying sexual assault victims when their rape kits are DNA-tested. In talking about the nationwide implications of the Houston action-research project, Dr. Busch-Armendariz says that the nation is ready to move beyond a focus solely on kit-testing to the larger discussion of how to tackle the complicated issue of sexual assault.

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NIJ FY 12 Evaluability Assessments of the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) Model

Closing Date
As part of a collaborative effort with the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART), NIJ seeks proposals to conduct an evaluability assessment of up to five sites that are implementing the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) model. Results from the evaluability assessments may become a precursor to further research and program development work, lay possible groundwork for other targeted...

NIJ FY 12 Evaluation of the FY 2010 Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act Adult Offender Reentry Demonstration Projects

Closing Date

This solicitation seeks proposals to examine the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Second Chance Act (SCA) adult offender reentry demonstration projects funded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The specific focus areas under this solicitation include: (1) an evaluability assessment of eight adult offender reentry demonstration projects (anticipates one award of up to $400,000) and; (2) a comprehensive evaluation of eight adult offender reentry demonstration projects.

NIJ FY 10 ORE Evaluation of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act: FY2010 State, Tribal, and Local Reentry Courts Program

Closing Date
NIJ seeks applications for a multi-site process and outcome evaluation of the State, Tribal, and Local Reentry Courts Program to be funded by BJA in FY2010 under the Second Chance Act of 2007 (SCA). The SCA supports a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from jail and prison into communities and the subsequent challenges communities face as offenders attempt to...

NIJ FY 10 ORE Evaluation of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act Adult Demonstration Projects

Closing Date
NIJ seeks applications for a comprehensive outcome and impact evaluation of the selected adult demonstration projects funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Second Chance Act of 2007. The Second Chance Act of 2007 was signed into law on April 9, 2008, with the goal of increasing reentry programming for offenders returning to their families and respective communities. This solicitation seeks to fund...

NIJ FY 10 ORE Research on Sentencing and Community-Based Alternatives to Incarceration

Closing Date
NIJ seeks applications for funding for research on sentencing and community corrections policies and practices that promote effective and cost-efficient community-based alternatives to jail and prison without jeopardizing public safety. Priority research questions include what policies and practices promote effective and cost-efficient alternatives to incarceration for alcohol and other drug-involved offenders, including those with mental health (i.e., comorbid) issues; and what technological applications and protocols...