Consensus Question #4 - Today’s question is related to data collection and transparency. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study questions on this topic.
Consensus question 4. Data Collection and Transparency
Existing position: NONE
Consensus Question:
Are efficient data collection, data sharing, and transparency critical in an impartial and unbiased criminal justice system?
PRO: Measurement is essential in order to know whether desired results are achieved and to help identify and share best practices. Openly sharing data supports the interests of all stakeholders, including those within the criminal justice system, state and local officials, and when appropriate the general public. Data should be gathered and entered once and then made available to those who need it.
The Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform recommends the creation of the Illinois Data Exchange Coordinating Council, which would establish the platform, authority, and accountability that will allow creation of a statewide information-sharing environment.
When reliable data are shared, the results are mutually beneficial for both the State and the local jurisdictions. Analysis of reliable data can identify procedures and practices on all levels that are more likely to achieve desired outcomes and those that are not helpful or that are even harmful and should be eliminated. Best practices and evidence-based practices and procedures emerge from the analysis of reliable data.
CON: Jurisdictions throughout Illinois operate on different computer platforms: operating systems, hardware, and software. To enable them all to communicate with one another would be a major expenditure of time and money. This then could also involve privacy and security issues, with data shared inappropriately; e.g., social security numbers.
RESOURCES
Final Report of CJSR http://www.icjia.org/cjreform2015/index.html
4 minute video on the importance of data in improving the CJ system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdCvlIS6HyE&feature=emb_title
Sarah Staudt video 9-10-2020, 80 minutes
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D9ZY3zadOMKKMLMUCSk8rBigk--YOodB/view
If you would like more information on this question, please contact Donna Prepejchal, LWV of Downers Grove, Woodridge, Lisle, at dprepejcha [at] comcast.net.
