David Pitts
@davidpitts.bsky.social
VP Justice & Safety, Urban Institute. Research on prisons, jails, and systems change. Alum of Georgia, Indiana, and UC Irvine. Adjunct Faculty, CUNY. Alabama native. 🏳️🌈
#criminaljustice #criminology #corrections #prisonreform #crimsky
#criminaljustice #criminology #corrections #prisonreform #crimsky
Above all, trust was the foundation for every success.
Participatory research proved most effective where relationships were strong and communication consistent.
Read the full PRII report here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
#PRII #CriminalJustice #Reform #Research
Participatory research proved most effective where relationships were strong and communication consistent.
Read the full PRII report here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
#PRII #CriminalJustice #Reform #Research
What We Learned about Participatory Research in Prisons
This report for the Urban Institute’s Prison Research and Innovation Initiative (PRII) documents the challenges and opportunities in improving prison living …
www.urban.org
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Above all, trust was the foundation for every success.
Participatory research proved most effective where relationships were strong and communication consistent.
Read the full PRII report here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
#PRII #CriminalJustice #Reform #Research
Participatory research proved most effective where relationships were strong and communication consistent.
Read the full PRII report here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
#PRII #CriminalJustice #Reform #Research
5. Pair research with early wins.
Small, low-cost improvements—better staff training, clearer grievance communication—build trust and show that feedback leads to change.
6. Work beyond the walls.
Reform strengthens when DOCs connect with policymakers and community partners.
Small, low-cost improvements—better staff training, clearer grievance communication—build trust and show that feedback leads to change.
6. Work beyond the walls.
Reform strengthens when DOCs connect with policymakers and community partners.
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
5. Pair research with early wins.
Small, low-cost improvements—better staff training, clearer grievance communication—build trust and show that feedback leads to change.
6. Work beyond the walls.
Reform strengthens when DOCs connect with policymakers and community partners.
Small, low-cost improvements—better staff training, clearer grievance communication—build trust and show that feedback leads to change.
6. Work beyond the walls.
Reform strengthens when DOCs connect with policymakers and community partners.
3. Identify a project champion.
A trusted staff leader who bridges groups can sustain progress and morale.
4. Use efficient, inclusive research methods.
Short surveys, interviews, and walkabouts reduce burden and encourage participation.
A trusted staff leader who bridges groups can sustain progress and morale.
4. Use efficient, inclusive research methods.
Short surveys, interviews, and walkabouts reduce burden and encourage participation.
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
3. Identify a project champion.
A trusted staff leader who bridges groups can sustain progress and morale.
4. Use efficient, inclusive research methods.
Short surveys, interviews, and walkabouts reduce burden and encourage participation.
A trusted staff leader who bridges groups can sustain progress and morale.
4. Use efficient, inclusive research methods.
Short surveys, interviews, and walkabouts reduce burden and encourage participation.
1. Leadership buy-in matters.
Lasting change requires ongoing support from the top and middle levels of management, as well as daily reinforcement from staff who carry reforms forward.
2. Address “us vs. them” dynamics early.
Lasting change requires ongoing support from the top and middle levels of management, as well as daily reinforcement from staff who carry reforms forward.
2. Address “us vs. them” dynamics early.
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
1. Leadership buy-in matters.
Lasting change requires ongoing support from the top and middle levels of management, as well as daily reinforcement from staff who carry reforms forward.
2. Address “us vs. them” dynamics early.
Lasting change requires ongoing support from the top and middle levels of management, as well as daily reinforcement from staff who carry reforms forward.
2. Address “us vs. them” dynamics early.
Across five states, PRII partners found that change in prisons depends on relationships, transparency, and follow-through. Engagement must include everyone: commissioners, wardens, line staff, and incarcerated people.
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Across five states, PRII partners found that change in prisons depends on relationships, transparency, and follow-through. Engagement must include everyone: commissioners, wardens, line staff, and incarcerated people.
We found that participatory approaches can work in prisons when leadership and staff are engaged, trust is built over time, and both staff and incarcerated people see tangible results from their input.
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
We found that participatory approaches can work in prisons when leadership and staff are engaged, trust is built over time, and both staff and incarcerated people see tangible results from their input.
Our research partners have already been publishing findings across a variety of academic journals, but as we close out this six-year initiative at the end of 2025, be on the lookout for even more research describing what we learned and charting a path forward for reform.
March 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Our research partners have already been publishing findings across a variety of academic journals, but as we close out this six-year initiative at the end of 2025, be on the lookout for even more research describing what we learned and charting a path forward for reform.