Center For Court Innovation’s new name reflects commitment to community

February 5, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

The Center for Court Innovation recently announced that it is now known as the Center for Justice Innovation. Executive Director Courtney Bryan explained that the group felt it was time to change the name to reflect the fact that it does work outside of the courthouse as well. Screenshot from the Center for Justice Innovation via Youtube

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The Center for Court Innovation recently announced that it has officially changed its name to — The Center for Justice Innovation — a move, its executive director says, shows its commitment to a holistic community-based approach.

“The Center has evolved from a focus on courts to a focus on the entire justice system and the communities the system serves,” said Center Executive Director Courtney Bryan. “Our new name reflects our belief that true justice is a continuum that starts in the community long before anyone ends up in court.

“Economic development and empowering communities to increase safety is as important to us as diverting cases from the system and providing services and support to individuals and families who find themselves in court,” Bryan continued.

For over 25 years, the Center has been an independent research and development arm of the New York State Unified Court System, whose goal it was to make the court system more fair, effective and humane by implementing new, evidence-based ideas. It also conducts research and creates programs designed to improve outcomes for victims and communities.

In the early days, the Center worked to establish the Midtown Community Center, which ordered services and alternatives to fines or jail time for low-level offenders in Manhattan. The work has always been focused on crime prevention, economic development and giving communities the resources and support to advocate for programs that enhance safety and opportunity.

Its programs quickly began turning to outside of the courthouse, though, and in the late 1990s the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center was created, which is now known as Neighbors in Action. It operates community-based programs that have little connection to the courts, but which offer alternative solutions.

“Justice does not begin or end in the courtroom, and now more than ever we need to view the criminal justice system as a continuum supporting and addressing the needs of individuals before, during and after a court appearance,” said Hon. Tamiko Amaker, the Acting Chief Administrative Judge. “The Center has been a world leader in the delivery of innovative programming and justice services at every stage of the justice process. This new name better reflects its mission and program delivery.”

The Center for Justice Innovation has a $90 million annual budget and more than 725 employees who work on initiatives in New York, New Jersey and California, and also advise policymakers internationally.