Just 'Cause is the quarterly newsletter of the Vera Institute of Justice and is produced by the Communications Department. This issue includes the following articles:

In recent years, performance indicators have emerged as a promising tool for tracking progress in key areas of governance, including the rule of law. With support from the American Bar Association’s World Justice Project, the Vera Institute of Justice partnered with three fellow Altus Global Alliance members to develop a set of 60 rule of law indicators—concrete measures designed to assess an abstract concept—and test them in four cities: Chandigarh, India; Lagos, Nigeria; Santiago, Chile; and New York City, U.S.

A new approach to violent crime in Brooklyn by Jill Pope -- Accessing Safety Initiative expands work into criminal justice system by Abbi Leman -- From Vera's Director: Bringing clarity to a clouded issue by Michael Jacobson -- City budget cuts force closure of Adolescent Reentry Initiative by Nicole Lemon -- Q&A with Ruth Parlin, Director of Information Management, interviewed by Nicole Lemon -- Researchers present at ABA’s World Justice Forum -- News and announcements

International project develops rule of law indicators by Abbi Leman -- Partner profile: Milwaukee DA focuses on reducing racial disparities by Bree Nordenson -- From Vera's Director: Reform without evidence? by Michael Jacobson -- Bringing cost-benefit analysis to criminal justice planning by Patrick Kelly -- Q&A with Ernest Duncan, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer -- Standing room only at second annual justice address by Bree Nordenson -- News and announcements

This 1985 Vera London report evaluates two pilot projects that implemented section 48 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1977, which concerns advance disclosure of the prosecution case to the defense in criminal cases. In 1983-84, Vera collaborated with the Inner London Probation and After-care Service (ILPAS) to develop two pilot projects - an East London project provided disclosure of the statements of prosecution witnesses, and a Northumbria project focused on disclosure of a summary of the prosecution case.