How Bad Data Traps People in the US Justice System | Clementine Jacoby | TED

TL;DR

The content discusses the problem of bad data in the criminal justice system and the importance of bringing data together to help people get out and stay out of the system.

Transcript

My uncle came home from prison when I was 15, but a few months later he was sent back. The whole experience made me pay attention to the criminal justice system for the first time. I started talking to researchers, advocates and eventually to the people who run the US prison system. What surprised me most in those conversations was something they a... Read More

Key Insights

• 😮 Bad data is slowing down criminal justice system reform efforts, making it difficult to know what is working and resulting in unjust incarceration and probation.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main problem with the criminal justice system according to the video?

The main problem with the criminal justice system, as highlighted in the video, is the presence of bad data. This data is scattered, stale, and incomplete, making it difficult to assess what strategies are effective and causing individuals who have met the requirements for release to remain stuck in the system.

Q: How does bad data affect people in the criminal justice system?

Bad data in the criminal justice system leads to unnecessary incarceration and probation or parole for individuals who do not need to be there. Specifically, the video mentions the story of Kate, who fulfilled the requirements set by the judge to reduce her probation sentence but still remained on probation due to data issues and lack of coordination between different databases.

Q: How does Recidiviz aim to address the problem of bad data?

Recidiviz, a nonprofit engineering team mentioned in the video, aims to address the problem of bad data by bringing it together and building tools for decision-makers. By creating a tool that helps identify who is eligible for release, who is close to eligibility, and who needs additional support, Recidiviz aims to provide the necessary information for officers like Allison to assist individuals efficiently.

Q: What impact has Recidiviz's tool had in Idaho?

The launch of Recidiviz's tool in Idaho had a significant impact within months. Five percent of people on probation and parole were either moved to lower levels of supervision or completely removed from the criminal justice system. This showcases the potential of such tools in helping individuals like Kate and making a meaningful impact on a larger scale if implemented across all states.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The criminal justice system in the US is hindered by bad data, which makes it difficult to determine what strategies are effective and leads to unnecessary incarceration.

• The lack of cohesive data systems causes people to fall through the cracks, with probation officers like Allison struggling to keep track of the necessary requirements for each individual.

• Recidiviz, a nonprofit engineering team, has developed a tool to bring data together and aid decision-makers in identifying who is eligible for release, who needs additional help, and who is close to being released. Implementing this tool in Idaho resulted in a 5% decrease in people on probation and parole, and scaling it nationwide could impact 200,000 people.