Insights from Leaders and Communities on Safely Changing Use of Jails – MacArthur Foundation

Report on Aligning Criminal Justice Reform with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent analysis of criminal justice reform initiatives across 26 U.S. communities highlights leadership strategies critical to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16): Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The findings, drawn from interviews with 24 key stakeholders, underscore that achieving targets for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions requires a fundamental shift in perspective. As noted by Assistant Sheriff Paula Tokar of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, “To make anything new happen, you have to open your mind to new perspectives,” a principle essential for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The effort to safely reduce local jail populations directly supports the objectives of SDG 16, particularly Target 16.3, which aims to ensure equal access to justice for all, and Target 16.6, focused on developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. Furthermore, these reforms contribute to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by addressing systemic disparities within the justice system. The report identifies specific leadership competencies and strategic insights that enable this transformation.

Essential Leadership Skills for Achieving SDG 16

The report distills seven essential skills for leaders spearheading institutional reforms in line with SDG principles. These competencies are vital for navigating the complexities of transforming justice systems to be more equitable and effective.

1. Openness to New Perspectives: Fostering innovation and adapting strategies to meet evolving challenges in justice administration.
2. Resilience and Courage: Maintaining commitment to long-term goals despite systemic resistance and setbacks.
3. Coalition Building: Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), to create broad support for reform.
4. Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing evidence to guide policy changes and measure progress toward justice-related targets.
5. Commitment to Equity: Ensuring that reforms actively reduce disparities and promote fairness, directly contributing to SDG 10.
6. Strategic Communication: Articulating a clear vision for change that aligns with global development goals and local community needs.
7. Adaptive Leadership: Adjusting plans and tactics in response to new information and changing political landscapes.

Strategic Insights for Sustainable Institutional Change

Five key insights emerged regarding the process of implementing and sustaining transformative change. These findings provide a practical framework for stakeholders working to build stronger and more just institutions.

• Transformation is Not Linear: Progress toward SDG 16 involves a dynamic and often unpredictable path, requiring persistent effort and flexibility.
• Relationship Building is Key to Progress: Establishing trust and collaboration among diverse actors, including government agencies and civil society, is fundamental to achieving shared goals, echoing the spirit of SDG 17.
• Context Matters: Successful reforms must be tailored to the specific social, economic, and political context of each community.
• Policy and Practice Must Align: Lasting change requires not only new laws and policies but also a corresponding shift in institutional culture and day-to-day operations.
• Community Engagement is Crucial: Involving affected communities in the reform process ensures that solutions are legitimate, responsive, and sustainable.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s central theme is the reform of the justice system, specifically focusing on efforts to “safely reduce jail populations” and change “how America uses jails.” This directly aligns with SDG 16’s goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions and ensuring access to justice for all. The mention of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the need for new leadership structures to “sustain transformation” points to the goal of strengthening justice institutions.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Efforts to reform the use of jails and reduce incarceration rates are intrinsically linked to reducing inequalities. Jail populations often disproportionately consist of individuals from marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups. By working to “safely reduce jail populations,” the initiatives discussed in the article implicitly address the inequalities of outcome within the justice system, contributing to the broader goal of social inclusion.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights a collaborative approach to achieving justice reform. It mentions a “MacArthur-supported report,” lessons learned from “26 communities,” and interviews with “24 key changemakers.” This multi-stakeholder model, involving foundations, local communities, and government leaders (like the Assistant Sheriff), exemplifies the partnerships crucial for implementing sustainable development goals. The emphasis on “coalition building” as an essential skill for leaders further reinforces this connection.

Specific Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 16

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The article’s focus on changing the use of jails and reducing populations is a direct effort to reform the application of the rule of law and improve access to justice, moving away from potentially excessive incarceration.

2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The discussion about the “leadership and structures” needed to “implement and sustain transformation” in the justice system directly relates to developing more effective and accountable institutions, such as the Sheriff’s Department mentioned.

Targets under SDG 10

1. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

   The initiative to “change the way America thinks about and uses jails” implies a move to reform policies and practices that may lead to unequal outcomes in the justice system, thereby contributing to this target.

Targets under SDG 17

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article describes a partnership model where the MacArthur Foundation supports a report based on the work of 26 communities and various changemakers. This collaboration between a private foundation, public institutions (Sheriff’s Department), and communities is a clear example of the partnerships this target aims to foster.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Indicators

• Reduction in jail population: The article explicitly states that the communities worked to “safely reduce jail populations.” Therefore, a direct indicator of progress would be the rate of change in the number of incarcerated individuals in these jurisdictions.
• Formation of multi-stakeholder coalitions: The text emphasizes “coalition building” as an essential skill and describes a collaborative effort involving a foundation, 26 communities, and 24 changemakers. An indicator of progress would be the number and effectiveness of such partnerships formed to advance justice reform.
• Implementation of institutional reforms: The goal of making “lasting change” and creating structures to “sustain transformation” implies that progress can be measured by the number of new policies, procedures, or leadership structures successfully implemented within the justice system.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: macfound.org