Data is changing our approach to prisons (and saving us money, too) - Sunlight Foundation Blog

"Earlier this year, former Attorney General Eric Holder addressed a crowd of conservatives and liberals that included both representatives from Koch Industries and the American Civil Liberties Union. The unlikely pairing was symbolic of the Bipartisan Summit on Criminal Justice Reform’s unique appeal within an otherwise divided political landscape. In the past, leaders of both parties have tripped over each other to project a 'tough on crime' persona, which led to policy outcomes that effectively accelerated the scourge of mass incarceration. That attitude towards crime prevention has shifted dramatically since. Just this week, the White House — on the heels of releasing the final report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing — announced a cooperative effort supported by the Sunlight Foundation to improve open data policies in local police departments so that citizens can keep tabs on their performance. During his summit speech, Holder similarly advocated for evidence-based strategies 'to ensure that 21st-century challenges are met with 21st-century solutions,' referencing the Department of Justice’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI). This federal-level initiative is centered around encouraging state and local governments to apply concepts that criminologists have long been proving are effective, like risk assessment tools and treatment programs ..."