This brief report describes the Crime and Justice Institute’s (CJI) role in supporting Utah’s Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice in conducting a comprehensive review of Utah’s criminal justice system and developing data-driven, evidence-based policies that would improve public safety while controlling corrections costs, saving Utah taxpayers at least $500 million through the next two decades.

The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI), in partnership with the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Public Safety Performance Project, provided technical assistance to the Commission, bringing expertise in data and systems analysis and evidence-based correctional practices to support the Commission in reaching its goals. In November 2014, the Commission recommended a comprehensive set of policy changes to the state leadership for consideration.

The policy recommendations generated were developed into legislation in the form of House Bill 348, which passed by overwhelming majorities in both legislative chambers and was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert on April 9th, 2015.

Click here to read the report.