A Smart Collaborative Effort

The Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), has made a major commitment to bring more "science" into criminal justice operations by leveraging innovative applications of analysis, technology, and evidence-based practices with the goal of improving performance and effectiveness while containing costs. BJA has accelerated the adoption and integration of research and evidence in the field by growing the number of BJA programs that encourage robust researcher-practitioner partnerships in order to implement data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime, improve community safety, reduce recidivism, and enhance the efficiency, fairness, and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. To support and enhance the effectiveness of these Smart Suite programs, BJA has partnered with a team of training and technical assistance experts led by the Michigan State University, School of Criminal Justice.