Here at the Minnesota Justice Research Center, we know the justice system isn’t just. That’s why we’re working to change it. We do things a little differently than traditional research organizations: we center the community and build bridges to transform our criminal legal system into one that is equitable, accountable, and restorative. What does that look like in action? Check out some of our accomplishments in 2025. We released our blueprint for a groundbreaking redesign of

Each legislative session, we at the Minnesota Justice Research Center push for policies that reflect Minnesotans' priorities for public safety, community wellbeing, and justice. As this year's session begins, we are excited to share brand new, statewide data that reveals exactly what we knew to be true: Most Minnesotans, across political lines, want to see major changes or a complete overhaul to our criminal legal system. It also gives us helpful insight about perceptions of

"Had [Ryan] been provided his necessary medication while in jail, he may have been alive today." In response to the recent lawsuit to block the Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act, the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) issued the following statement: At the Minnesota Justice Research Center, we believe that justice should be fair and that our systems for administering justice should operate as humanely as possible while holding Minnesotans accountable for causing harm in

By Justin Terrell, Anna Hall, and Jess Palyan Recently the Star Tribune published a commentary by Brandi Bennett, a Minnesota victim services specialist, titled “When justice became a hashtag.” The commentary is riddled with false statements about the cash bail system, and the important work of Minnesota Freedom Fund. It relies on convenient catchphrases, ignores decades of research, and leans on the same misguided assumptions that have twisted our criminal legal system into

By the Minnesota Justice Research Center A recent piece in the Star Tribune titled “How the most important courtroom in Minneapolis churns through an endless stream of violent crime” describes the emotional, high-stakes environment of bail hearings in Hennepin County. It details how, within minutes, public defenders, state prosecutors, and judges determine the price a defendant must pay for their freedom while they await trial. The article calls attention to the “exhausting”

Alejandro is a Policy Assistant at the Minnesota Justice Research Center. By Alejandro Caceres-Aranda My own personal experience with shaping policy has been to shine the light on underrepresented voices and amplify their voices through key stakeholders. My parents immigrated to the U.S from Colombia and taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. We received lots of help and support from our community along the way. My parents emphasized the importance of giving

By Anna Simonton, Research Assistant - Pretrial Best Practices I’m always struck by the way people leave a community conversation, compared to how they came in the door. A transformation takes place - a shift, sometimes so significant that it feels like an entirely different group only two hours later. This summer, the Minnesota Justice Research Center held 14 community conversations across the state to hear from residents about their perspectives on and experiences with bai

Marci Exsted (she/her) is a Research Assistant at the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) A lot of my personal story revolves around the importance of being heard and building trust and care intentionally. Clashes of mental health and trauma in my family made this even more real for me. Over the years, through my background in Social Work and mentorship from many Black and Brown community leaders, I got clear on whose voices are intentionally not centered in our society