Name: How bad data traps people in the US justice system
Uploaded: 2023-01-13T15:49:41Z
Duration: 6 min 10 s
Description: Right now, hundreds of thousands of people are "stuck" in the US criminal justice system. They've completed all of their requirements for release, but nobody knows it because the system is run on old databases that don't talk to each other. TED Fellow Clementine Jacoby describes how we can fix it -- bringing thousands of people home, reducing costs and improving public safety along the way.

Right now, hundreds of thousands of people are "stuck" in the US criminal justice system. They've completed all of their requirements for release, but nobody knows it because the system is run on old databases that don't talk to each other. TED Fellow Clementine Jacoby describes how we can fix it -- bringing thousands of people home, reducing costs and improving public safety along the way.

Clementine Jacoby: How bad data traps people in the US justice system

How bad data traps people in the US justice system

Bridging data gaps with technology, Recidiviz aids officers like Allison in identifying eligible individuals for release.

Implementing Recidiviz's tool in Idaho saw a 5% reduction in probation and parole, impacting 200,000 lives if nationwide.

Fragmented US justice databases trap hundreds of thousands — unified data could free them and optimize system efficiency.