Join the Justice Information Resource Network’s 2026 Virtual Conference on June 9–11, a three-day online event focused on strengthening the role of justice data in research, policy, and practice. The conference brings together justice researchers, analysts, and practitioners for plenaries, interactive discussions, and workshops designed to explore how rigorous data analysis can better inform decision-making in today’s complex justice environment. Attendees will gain insights on topics such as data credibility, transparency, administrative data integration, and strategies for communicating evidence to policymakers and the public.
Draft Agenda
| 1:00 – 1:15 PM | Welcome / Introduction to Event |
| Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director; Overview of conference goals, theme, and structure | |
| 1:15 PM – 1:45 PM | Keynote: From Data to Decisions: Why Evidence Still Matters in Uncertain Times |
| Speaker: Dr. Alex Piquero, Chair and Professor of Sociology and Criminology; Arts and Sciences Distinguished Scholar, University of Miami | |
| 1:45 PM – 1:50 PM | Break |
| 1:50 PM – 3:10 PM | Plenary Panel 1 |
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Title: Trust, Transparency, and Credibility: Why Justice Data Matters More Than Ever Speakers: David E. Olson, Ph.D. David Yokum, Ph.D. Stephen Haas, Ph.D. |
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| 3:10 PM – 3:35 PM | Breakout |
| Small group discussions | |
| 3:35 PM – 3:45 PM | Break / Sponsor / Commercial |
| TBD |
| 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Workshop 1 | Workshop 2 |
|
Title: From Analysis to Action: How SAC Research Informs Real Decisions Focus: Turning findings into recommendations; Working with agency leadership; What happens after the report. Kelly Officer Nancy Radcliffe |
Title: Communicating Justice Data to Policymakers, Media, and the Public Focus: Translating findings to stakeholders; Creating interest among media and policymakers; Responding to questions and concerns. Speakers: |
| 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Closing, Day One: Reflections and Book Raffle |
| Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director |
| 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & Reminders |
|
Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director |
|
| 1:10 PM – 2:30 PM |
Plenary Panel 2 |
| Title: Crime Trends, NIBRS, and Public Understanding in Volatile Times Focus: Interpreting volatile crime trends; What NIBRS can and cannot tell us; Avoiding overstatementSpeakers: Derek Veitenheimer Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer SEARCH |
|
| 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM |
Sponsor Message, followed by Break |
| TBD |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Workshop 3 | Workshop 4 |
| Title: Victimization, Human Trafficking, and What Administrative Data Misses Focus: Limits of administrative data and what gets systematically missed (e.g., sexual violence, trafficking, coercive control); Using survey and administrative data together to fill gaps/improve interpretation; Ways to responsibly report limitations without undermining the conclusions. Speakers: Amy Farrell, Ph.D. Director and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northeastern University |
Title: From Silos to Insights: Data Integration and Warehousing Focus: Data governance issues; Data standardization; Maintaining interagency access Speakers: Leaders of integration efforts
|
| 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Workshop 5 | Workshop 6 |
| Title: Recidivism, Reentry, and Measuring System Performance Focus: What does recidivism tell us/not tell us about system performance; Innovations in reentry/recidivism analysis/methodology; How does choice of measures affect funding/policy; How to brief legislators/policymakers responsibly; Linking recidivism outcomes to fiscal implicationsSpeakers: Grant Duwe, Ph.D. Director of Research and Evaluation, Minnesota Department of Corrections |
Title: Juvenile Justice and Cross-System Data Linkage Focus: What do we miss when we analyze youth systems in isolation; Access/use of multiple sources and governance/standardization; How data linkage can inform funding, intervention gaps, diversion, etc.
Speakers:
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| 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM |
Closing, Day Two:Reflections and Raffle |
|
Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director |
| 1:00 – 1:05 PM | Welcome Back & What to Expect |
|
Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director |
|
| 1:05 PM – 2:25 PM |
Plenary 3 |
| Title: Sustaining State Justice Research and Justice Data Capacity in Lean Times Focus: SACs that are already responding to budget/funding cuts, obtained grant funding replacements, new/additional state sources, and those in process. Speakers: Karlton Moore, JD Senior Vice President of Public Safety Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute |
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| 2:25 PM – 2:45 PM |
Small Group Breakouts: Reactions & Conversation |
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Facilitated breakout rooms (8–10 participants); Moderators: JIRN members and staff; Focus: Sustaining Data Infrastructure; Framing question: If your agency’s core funding were reduced by 25% next year, what would you do? |
|
| 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM |
Break/Sponsor/Commercial |
| TBD |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Workshop 7 | Workshop 8 |
|
Title: Dashboards That Actually Get Used Focus: Fostering the successful and long-term use of dashboards using human-centered design and implementation science methods. This presentation will review dashboard recommendations that follow the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework. Two dashboard creators will compare their own dashboards to those recommendations. Speakers: Charlea Robinson |
Title: The State of Applied Justice Research: Careers, Capacity, and Change Focus: Strategies for developing, recruiting, preparing, and retaining a workforce for applied research settings; Skills needed in 2026 and beyond; Connecting students to applied careers Speakers: Janice Iwama, PhD |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Closing Session |
|
Title: Looking Ahead: The Future of Data-Informed Justice Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director Focus: Conference synthesis, participant reflections, next steps for JIRN training, planned TTA, and membership engagement |
Tuesday, June 9th
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Welcome/Introduction to Event
Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director; Overview of conference goals, theme, and structure
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Keynote: From Data to Decisions: Why Evidence Still Matters in Uncertain Times
Speaker: Dr. Alex Piquero, Chair and Professor of Sociology and Criminology; Arts and Sciences Distinguished Scholar, University of Miami
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Plenary Panel 1
Title: Trust, Transparency, and Credibility: Why Justice Data Matters More Than Ever
Focus: Maintaining credibility in politically and fiscally challenging environments; Applying national statistical principles in state practice; Protecting independence while staying relevant
Speakers:
James P. Lynch, Ph.D.
Research Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Maryland
David E. Olson, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Co-Director, Center for Criminal Justice
Loyola University Chicago
David Yokum, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management and
Professor of the Practice, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Data Science & Society
Stephen Haas, Ph.D.
President
Justice Information Resource Network (JIRN) Executive Committee
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Break/Sponsor/Commercial
TBD
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Small Group Discussion: Reactions & Conversations
Facilitated breakout rooms (8–10 participants)
Moderators: JIRN members and staff
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Workshop 1
Title: From Analysis to Action: How SAC Research Informs Real Decisions
Focus (SAC-specific): Turning findings into recommendations; Working with agency leadership; What happens after the report.
Speakers:
Kelly Officer
Research Director
Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
Nancy Radcliffe
Social Science Research Specialist
Office of Criminal Justice Services,
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Workshop 2
Title: Communicating Justice Data to Policymakers, Media, and the Public
Focus (External communication & media): Translating findings to stakeholders/public; Creating interest among media, policymakers, public; Working with the media/policymakers; Fielding and responding questions/concerns
Speakers:
Julia Bergeron-Smith
Policy Associate
Catherine Cutler Institute
University of Southern Maine
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing, Day One: Reflections and Book Raffle
Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director
Wednesday, June 10th
1:00 PM – 1:10 PM
Welcome & Reminders
Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director
1:10 PM – 2:30 PM
Plenary Panel 2
Title: Crime Trends, NIBRS, and Public Understanding in Volatile Times
Focus: Interpreting volatile crime trends; What NIBRS can and cannot tell us; Avoiding overstatement
Speakers:
Derek Veitenheimer
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
SEARCH
White Board Activity related to Plenary Panel Two
Title: What Do Decision-Makers Get Wrong About Crime Data?
2:30PM – 2:45 PM
Break/Sponsor/Commercial
TBD
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Workshop 3
Title: Victimization, Human Trafficking, and What Administrative Data Misses
Focus: Limits of administrative data and what gets systematically missed (e.g., sexual violence, trafficking, coercive control); Using survey and administrative data together to fill gaps/improve interpretation; Ways to responsibly report limitations without undermining the conclusions
Speakers:
Amy Farrell, Ph.D.
Director and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice,
Northeastern University
Workshop 4
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Workshop 5
Title: Recidivism, Reentry, and Measuring System Performance
Focus: What does recidivism tell us/not tell us about system performance; Innovations in reentry/recidivism analysis/methodology; How does choice of measures affect funding/policy; How to brief legislators/policymakers responsibly; Linking recidivism outcomes to fiscal implications
Speakers:
Grant Duwe, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Evaluation,
Minnesota Department of Corrections
Workshop 6
Title: Juvenile Justice and Cross-System Data Linkage
Focus: What do we miss when we analyze youth systems in isolation; Access/use of multiple sources and governance/standardization; How data linkage can inform funding, intervention gaps, diversion, etc.
Speakers:
Emily Dattilio
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Data Analytics and Program Support, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing, Day Two:Reflections and Raffle
Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director
Thursday, June 11th
1:00 PM – 1:05 PM
Welcome Back & What to Expect
Speakers: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director
1:05 PM – 2:25 PM
Plenary Panel 3
Title: Sustaining State Justice Research and Justice Data Capacity in Lean Times
Focus: Justifying funding, Demonstrating Return on Investment (ROI), Maintaining staff capacity
Composition: SAC director, corrections or law enforcement research director, State Administering Agency, Foundation leader or Federal partner
2:25 PM – 2:45 PM
Small Group Discussions: Reactions & Conversation
Facilitated breakout rooms (8–10 participants)
Moderators: JIRN members and staff;
Focus: Sustaining Data Infrastructure; Framing question: If your agency’s core funding were reduced by 25% next year, what would you do?
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Break/Sponsor/Commercial
TBD
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Workshop 7
Title: Dashboards That Actually Get Used
Focus: Why some dashboards “get used” and influence decisions and others don’t; What decisions are dashboards designed to inform; What increases the “usability” of dashboards for various audiences/stakeholders; Building trust among data providers; Sustaining dashboards; Avoiding most common misinterpretations of dashboard data
Speakers:
Fernanda S. Rossi, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University School of Medicine
Charlea Robinson
Policy & Research Analyst
Statistical Analysis Center,
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, District of Columbia
Workshop 8
Title: The State of Applied Justice Research: Careers, Capacity, and Change
Focus: Strategies for developing, recruiting, preparing, and retaining a workforce for applied research settings; Skills needed in 2026 and beyond; Connecting students to applied careers
Speakers:
Megan Alderdan, PhD
Director and Associate Professor
DePal University
Janice Iwama, PhD
Associate Professor, Justice, Law & Criminology
American University
Closing Session
Title: Looking Ahead: The Future of Data-Informed Justice
Facilitators: Stephen Haas, JIRN President & Susan Howley, JIRN Acting Executive Director
Focus: Conference synthesis, participant reflections, next steps for JIRN training, planned TTA, and membership engagement
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Alex Piquero
Chair and Professor of Sociology and Criminology; Arts and Sciences Distinguished Scholar,
University of Miami
Megan Alderdan, PhD
Director and Associate Professor
DePaul University
Julia Bergeron-Smith
Policy Associate
Catherine Cutler Institute, University of Southern Maine
Emily Dattilio
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Data Analytics and Program Support,
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Grant Duwe, PhD
Director of Research and Evaluation,
Minnesota Department of Corrections,
Amy Farrell, PhD
Director and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice,
Northeastern University
Stephen Haas, PhD
President,
Justice Information Resource Network
Briana Irwin
Statistical Analyst
Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy
Janice Iwama, PhD
Associate Professor, Justice, Law & Criminology
American University
James P. Lynch, PhD
Research Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Maryland
Karhlton Moore, JD
Senior Vice President of Public Safety
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Mallory Minter-Mohr, PhD
Social Science Research Specialist
Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services
Kelly Officer
Research Director
Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
David Olsen, PhD
Professor and Criminology Co-Director, Center for Criminal Justice,
Loyola University Chicago
Charleá Robinson
Policy and Research Analyst
Statistical Analysis Center, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Nancy Radcliffe
Social Science Research Specialist
Office of Criminal Justice Services, Ohio Department of Public Safety
Fernanda S. Rossi, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University School of Medicine
Derek Veitenheimer
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, SEARCH
David Yokum, PhD
Chief Scientist, North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management; Professor of the Practice, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Data Science & Society
Jeffrey Zuback
Director of Research, Analysis, and Evaluation, Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy