Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy

Crime and public safety are pressing concerns for people across political affiliations, geographic regions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Crime not only disrupts lives but also imposes enormous social and economic costs—the societal costs of gun violence alone exceed $100 billion annually. Meanwhile, the US criminal legal system imposes its own costs, with over 5 million individuals under supervision through incarceration, probation, or parole and countless others experiencing the collateral consequences of arrests and criminal charges. Communities of color and residents in neighborhoods with high poverty rates disproportionately bear these burdens.

Recognizing these disparities, IECP generates rigorous evidence on policies and practices that increase community safety, reduce discrimination, and address systemic inequities. Randomized evaluations, a cornerstone of IECP’s approach, provide policymakers with reliable evidence about which strategies are effective and cost-effective. These evaluations ensure that resources are allocated wisely and inspire innovative thinking about public safety, expanding the scope of what is considered “crime policy.” For instance, evaluations of summer youth employment programs or cognitive behavioral interventions demonstrate how alternative approaches can enhance public safety beyond traditional methods such as policing and incarceration.

Through targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs), IECP funds pilot studies and randomized evaluations on key issues, including crime prevention, effective policing strategies, adjudication processes, sentencing and sanctions, reintegration/reentry, and the role of social support programs in fostering public safety.

To ensure lasting impact, IECP collaborates with practitioners to understand their research priorities and connect them with researchers to rigorously test and refine promising strategies. Findings from these evaluations are synthesized into actionable recommendations, shaping critical policy discussions and driving meaningful improvements in safety and justice.