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Mission and Origins
An independent center for policy and practice, making
justice systems fairer and more effective through research and innovation
Our Mission
The Vera Institute of Justice combines expertise in
research, demonstration projects, and technical assistance
to help leaders in government and civil society improve
the systems people rely on for justice and safety.
Our Story
In 1961, philanthropist Louis Schweitzer and magazine
editor Herb Sturz recognized the injustice of a bail
system in New York City that granted liberty based
on income. Working with criminal justice leaders, they
explored the problem, developed a solution, and
rigorously tested it. Within a few years, they had
demonstrated that New Yorkers too poor to afford
bail but with strong ties to their communities could
be released and still show up for trial.
Evidence of a viable alternative to bail forever changed
how judges make release decisions in criminal courts
around the world, while also reducing costs and
minimizing disruption in the lives of innocents. It also led
to the founding of the Vera Institute of Justice—named
for Schweitzer's mother—to pursue similar initiatives.
Today, Vera staff are leading more than two dozen
separate projects that each aim to reveal more about
the meaning of justice even as they make a difference
in the lives of individuals.
Every Vera project begins with an examination of how
a targeted part of the justice system really works. Often,
this inspires the design of a practical experiment or the
development of a rational course for reform. Whatever
path a project takes, Vera's goal is to help government
partners achieve measurable improvements in the
quality of justice they deliver and to share what they’ve
learned with people around the world.
The result: Justice systems that are fairer, more
humane, and more effective for everyone.
[ last modified 11/13/2007 ]
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::: View a short film about Vera. [Go]
