Crime Prevention and Community Engagement: Red Hook Community Justice Center

Irina Fey

The winner of multiple national awards for innovation, the Red Hook Justice Center houses a courtroom in which a single judge hears cases that under ordinary circumstances would go to three different courts—Civil, Family, and Criminal. The tools at the judge’s disposal include community restitution projects, short-term psycho-educational groups, and long-term treatment. The Justice Center also offers an array of unconventional programs that work to improve both public safety and trust in justice. An independent evaluation found that the Justice Center significantly reduced recidivism and the number of people receiving jail sentences while enhancing public confidence in government.