The
dominant crime-control strategy in the United States today is deterrence
through incapacitation, or incarceration. Ever increasing numbers of
people are being held in jails or prisons. At the same time, alternative
strategies that are equally or more effective in controlling crime and
enhancing public safety--many with far lower economic and social
costs--are largely ignored. And yet America’s future as an open society
depends to a significant degree on whether we fully explore and utilize
these alternatives. A sense of safety is one of the hallmarks of an
open, democratic society. But so is a commitment to incarcerating only
people who pose a real threat to society--prisons are by definition
closed societies. Defining and maintaining a balance between these two
interests is at the heart of the Center’s work. Since its inception in
June 1996, the Center has sought to promote dialogue on crime and
critical public safety issues and to chart a strategic course for social
change. Through grantmaking, research, and fellowships, the Center works
to create a better understanding of and support for humane, effective
responses to crime to enhance the safety of all communities, while
preserving the values of an open, democratic society.
Grantmaking. As a private
grantor in the arena of crime and public safety, the Center makes a
special effort to look for programs which foster innovation. In 1997,
the Center awarded $8.4 million to 110 organizations. More than
two-thirds of the grants supported direct services in prisons, jails,
and communities across the nation. A small number of grants supported
advocacy and research. In its grantmaking, the Center supports nonprofit
agencies and community groups and collaborates with government agencies.
The Center’s 1998 grantmaking is national in scope and focuses on six
priority areas: defining and bridging the gap between victims,
defendants, and their families; increasing public safety through
effective prevention and post-release programs; seeking new solutions
for intimate violence; preventing youth gun violence; defining community
and police roles in public safety; examining the economics of criminal
justice policy. The Center will also award a series of capacity building
grants to leading service and advocacy organizations, and will support
community grants for criminal justice programs in New York City and
Baltimore.
Research. Through the research and policy
component of its work, the Center seeks to redirect the public policy
debate on criminal justice away from political preferences and
short-term solutions. The Center produced several publications in 1997.
Education as Crime Prevention, a research brief presenting the most
recent data on the impact of education on crime and crime prevention,
examines the debate on providing higher education to inmates, and
suggests recommendations for the use of education in correctional
facilities. This brief generated significant interest from correctional
facility administrators and the media (232 requests). As a direct
result, the Center is exploring the possibility of a partnership on a
state-sponsored educational initiative for prisoners. The Pathfinder on
Domestic Violence in the United States, a reference tool that defines
domestic violence-related issues, has the goal of broadening the debate
about what constitutes domestic violence. The book outlines printed and
electronic resources that facilitate multidisciplinary research. Toward
the end of the year, the Center began work on Domestic Violence:
National Directory of Professional Services, a follow-up reference to
the Pathfinder that addresses the information needs of victims and their
advocates.
The Soros Justice Fellowship Program. The goal
of the Soros Justice Fellowship Program is to create leaders in the
field of criminal justice who are committed to finding more humane and
effective responses to crime and victimization. There are two types of
Soros Justice Fellows: Senior and Postgraduate. Senior Fellows work
independently on research, writing, program design, and community
development, while Postgraduate Fellows are sponsored by, and work
within, nonprofit or criminal justice-related government agencies. Both
Senior and Postgraduate Fellows design and implement a criminal justice
project, with the ultimate goal of stimulating public debate on
controversial criminal justice issues. In 1997, after a rigorous
selection process, 41 public health professionals, legal advocates, and
leading academics were selected to be Soros Justice Fellows.
Breakfast Series & Symposia. Furthering its
efforts to enhance the public debate on public safety issues, the Center
in 1997 hosted four breakfast seminars where leading experts,
practitioners, members of the media, and others were participated in
lively, constructive discussions. Forum topics included Bridging the
Gap: Victims and Defendant’s Rights; Youth Gun Violence; Police
Brutality; and Prison Industries.
To find out
more about the Center on Crime,
Communities & Culture, visit their website.
