Virginia’s criminal justice research receives national award

Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) has presented Virginia’s Criminal Justice Research Center in the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) with the Doug Yearwood National Publication Award for Excellence in Research/Policy Analysis, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.

The award was announced Aug. 1 at the National Criminal Justice Association National Forum on Criminal Justice in Long Beach, CA. The Criminal Justice Research Center received the award for its publication “Report of the Health and Criminal Justice Data Committee.”  The report describes the findings of data analysts of the Health and Criminal Justice Data Committee, a collaboration of multiple agencies within the secretariats of Public Safety and Homeland Security and Health and Human Resources.

“I am proud to see Virginia’s hard-working researchers be recognized as leaders in their field,” Governor Terry McAuliffe was quoted as saying in a news release. “Research and analysis are critical components to developing strategies as we combat the tragic opioid epidemic sweeping our Commonwealth and nation.  The report produced by the Criminal Justice Research Center will provide a sound basis for policy-making going forward as we work to understand and respond to this epidemic.”