Jessica Saunders Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

As the Research Director, I lead a dynamic team of 20+ researchers and data scientists in spearheading cutting-edge research initiatives in criminal justice reform. My role on the Senior Leadership Team overseeing the CSG Justice Center’s portfolio of work, with a budget of approximately $40 million a year, involves orchestrating and implementing comprehensive research strategies, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. I am responsible for overseeing the development and execution of impactful projects that address critical issues such as improving public safety using best practices, reducing recidivism, and identifying and addressing systemic bias in the criminal justice system. Collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including lawmakers, justice professionals, academics, and policymakers, I navigate the complexities of the field to inform evidence-based policies. Additionally, my position involves presenting findings to professional organizations, engaging with community members, and translating research insights to resonate with varied audiences. With a deep commitment to fostering positive change, I play a pivotal role in advancing the CSG Justice Center’s mission of promoting fairness and effectiveness in criminal justice systems nationwide.

Tempe, Az, Us

Santa Monica, Ca, Us

I served as a core faculty member at Pardee RAND Graduate School, teaching courses on criminal justice and public policy, policing equity, and policy evaluation, and mentoring graduate students on a project-by-project basis.

Santa Monica, Ca, Us

During my tenure at RAND, I led over $25 million in research projects, including:• Policing Practices. Predictive policing field trials identifying major flaws theoretical approaches and implementation. This included the statistical analysis of administrative police data, observations, and resulted in several publications.• Assessing Racial Bias. Working with the US DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights to develop a set of standardized metrics to quantitatively measure a police department’s progress in reducing excessive use of force and racial profiling. In-depth study of algorithmic equity examining the racial discrepancies of risk assessment accuracy in community corrections illustrating di-biasing algorithms may not overcome bias in implementation. • Community Safety. An evaluation of a focused-deterrence program aimed at closing open-air drug markets. Included statistical analyses of administrative data, community surveys, focus groups, interviews, and field observations, and resulted in over a dozen publications and the development of a new R package.• Correctional Education. A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating that providing education during incarceration reduces returns to prison, supporting policy change to allow prisoners to access Pell Grants.• Health and Wellness. A comprehensive assessment for US Customs and Border Protection. Included a survey of 17,000 employees on behavioral health and workplace stress and developing a comprehensive framework for a holistic wellness program. • School Safety. Implementation evidence-based school violence programs, including a randomized-controlled trial of different training and technical assistance approaches across the state of Nebraska. A multi-method study of the promise of technological approaches to preventing and responding to violence in schools.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Tempe, Az, Us

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Criminal Justice

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology