No abstract

Researcher–policymaker/practitioner partnerships (RPPs) have emerged as a successful tool for translating research into policy and practice. However, the available research has focused on RPPs with law enforcement and correctional agencies. Notably absent are studies that describe and evaluate RPPs between researchers and legislative bodies. Specifically, questions remain about the establishment, unique constraints, best practices for effective implementation, and sustainability of partnerships between researchers and policymakers. This study contributes to the literature by describing a unique RPP between a university and a state legislature. Through this retrospective case analysis, we describe the steps taken to initiate the partnership, its implementation, and outcomes. Importantly, in the context of the prior research, we describe the lessons learned, next steps, and implications for partnerships with policymakers.

Juvenile justice-involved youth, despite their history of poor academic performance, have high educational aspirations for their post-release life. However, few expect to meet their educational aspirations. Barriers in the transition from the juvenile justice setting to the community contribute to the disconnect between youths’ educational aspirations and expectations. However, to date, few studies have included the perspectives of incarcerated youth in assessing barriers to educational attainment. This study addresses the gap in the literature using data from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement to examine self-reported barriers to meeting the educational aspiration of attending at least some college. Results indicate a lack of interest in school among juvenile justice-involved youth to be the most prevalent and significant barrier to higher educational expectations, despite self-reported high aspirations. We discuss policy implications to improve the reentry process and increase school attachment.

This chapter describes how researcher-practitioner/policymaker partnerships (RPPs) can effectively contribute to criminal justice policy reform. We begin by providing an overview of RPPs that have resulted in criminal justice system reforms. We then describe a unique partnership between researchers and a state legislature. The chronology of the initiation, implementation, and outcomes of the RPP with the legislature are included in our description as well as the lessons learned and implications for future RPPs. This chapter concludes with recommendations regarding how RPPs with legislatures and practitioners can contribute to more effective criminal justice reform. This chapter contributes to the literature on criminal justice policy reform by describing an RPP with a legislative organization, which has been notably absent in prior relevant literature. Importantly, RPPs with policymakers can contribute to criminal justice policy reform by providing policymakers with evidence-based options and likely outcomes of legislation. Specifically, through RPPs, researchers and policymakers can proactively assess the potential impacts of various policy options prior to the drafting of legislation.