Today, I’m talking with my friend Jennifer Doleac, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures, about how research makes better choices in criminal justice policy possible. This is very evident in her new book (just out now!) called ‘The Science of Second Chances‘ which I’d highly recommend as an engaging, approachable read on a critical topic.
Jen is one of the most thoughtful scholars on how we can solve criminal justice problems with research-backed policies, and this is a conversation I’ve been looking forward to having ever since launching the podcast.
We talk about her transition from academia to Arnold Ventures and the importance of evidence-based policy in criminal justice reform. We also discuss the need for leniency in handling first-time offenders, the significance of swift and certain consequences in deterring crime, and the role of DNA technology in solving crimes. It’s a great conversation about following research to improve policy decisions.
Jennifer Doleac is an economist and the Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy focused on evidence-based policy in the US. She is the author of THE SCIENCE OF SECOND CHANCES, and the host of Probable Causation, a podcast about research related to crime and criminal justice policy. She is a leading expert on the economics of crime, and a vocal proponent of using rigorous research to inform policy.
Give it a listen here on Substack, below, or wherever you get your podcasts!
And, while you’re here, be sure to check out these other great recent episodes of the pod!
FBI Assistant Director Timothy Ferguson
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams
Jens Ludwig from the Chicago Crime Lab
