FAQ Listing

Practitioners can use the platform to identify evidence-based interventions in their field, compare effectiveness across similar programs, gain insight into implementation and resource requirements, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. CrimeSolutions can be used when planning for new programs, updating existing programs, and to learn about innovative collaborations used in other jurisdictions.

Policymakers can use CrimeSolutions to prioritize funding for effective intervention approaches, inform policy development using evidence-based data, and support the implementation of proven strategies in their jurisdiction.

Researchers can use CrimeSolutions to identify gaps in evidence, focus on Promising programs to build stronger evidence, and consult evidence standards to strengthen evaluation designs.

Media should accurately represent the ratings as displayed on CrimeSolutions, avoiding characterizing ratings as NIJ’s approval or disapproval of intentions. The ratings reflect the quality and consistency of the evidence, not just program popularity. The program ratings are for interventions implemented in specific settings, which may have varying results in other jurisdictions based on resources, implementation, and focus.

CrimeSolutions is a central, reliable resource to help practitioners and policymakers understand what works in justice-related interventions. Its purpose is to assist in practical decision making and program implementation by gathering information on specific justice-related programs and practices and systematically reviewing the existing evaluation and meta-analysis research against standardized criteria. Learn more about CrimeSolutions.

The National Institute of Justice operates CrimeSolutions with additional funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

No. CrimeSolutions is a resource to assist justice practitioners and policymakers in using evaluation evidence for practical decision making. CrimeSolutions is not intended to be an exhaustive list of interventions that should or should not be adopted. The Office of Justice Programs and its components also recognize the importance of supporting innovative approaches and practices that may not yet have extensive evidence of effectiveness.

The platform provides evidence ratings for criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victim service-related interventions. CrimeSolutions has detailed intervention profiles, information about evaluation methods, and links to related resources and research.

“Evidence-based” typically refers to approaches with strong scientific evidence demonstrating effectiveness. “Evidence-informed” refers to approaches that incorporate elements from evidence-based practices but may have been adapted to different circumstances or may not have a rigorous evaluation of evidence.