Trial & Error in Criminal Justice Reform: Learning from Failure

by Greg Berman, Aubrey Fox

Trial and Error in Criminal Justice Reform: Learning from Failure examines well-intended programs that fell short of their objectives (D.A.R.E. and Operation Ceasefire being prime examples). "While our research has not unearthed a foolproof path to successful reform, we do know how to guarantee failure, and that is to continue with business as usual," write Burman and Fox. Trial and Error in Criminal Justice Reform honors innovative policymakers and practitioners judges, cops, attorneys, parole officers, researchers, educators, and politicians by advocating that they be given the time, space, and encouragement to learn from their predecessors and analyze their own foibles."

148 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2010

Reviews

[William Crosby]

The subtitle "learning from failure" summarizes the focus of the book: why various justice system reforms over the years in various locales did not work or had mixed results. Fascinating study including sociology, politics, interpersonal relations.

A short book; it provides succinct case studies and points in evaluating reforms.