Minnesota Justice Research Center

09/17/2026

"As executive director of the Minnesota Justice Research Center, he has devoted himself to the pursuit of justice. He has policy wins under his belt. He has earned the trust of communities. He has built relationships and credibility that can’t be manufactured with a title or a fancy resume. And yet, if you watched him work, you’d think he hadn’t accomplished a damn thing yet. He’s still hungry; Still pushing; Still showing up; Still trying to figure out what else can be changed."

Thank you Dr. Quintin Williams for uplifting the work of our Executive Director, Justin Terrell! Read the whole piece here:

Thanks for reading my Substack!

09/15/2026

Friend of MNJRC and University of St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler is featured on 60 Minutes speaking on the landscape of federal pardons: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19GWxJbJDV/

09/09/2026

Share your input on the next Minneapolis police chief IN-PERSON (tomorrow, Thursday Sept 10 at 5:30PM at the Minneapolis American Indian Center). Can’t make it? Submit comments ONLINE (minneapolismn.gov/ward6).

08/19/2026

Calling justice-impacted folks to apply for this paid advisory board opportunity 💼

On October 24, MNJRC along with several partners will be hosting a Democracy Fair geared toward justice-impacted community members.We need YOU to help us design the fair!

If you are justice-impacted and interested in joining this paid advisory board, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKotwvR1H_D-1JcP86unoawoo6th02gqjUgKeKT-kaUcwvUQ/viewform

APPLICATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 26. Email [email protected] for more information.

08/18/2026

Our evaluation of Project PEACE revealed some opportunities for growth. Here are our 5 recommendations.⁠
⁠
We partnered with Saint Paul’s Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) to evaluate its gun violence intervention approach, Project PEACE. We’re breaking down our evaluation on socials.⁠
⁠
Today, we reflect on the path to sustainability for Project PEACE in today’s landscape. We recommend that the team at ONS get clear about the model, strengthen partnerships, invest in the well-being and staffing of life coaches, share the story of the program, and seek stable, long-term funding.

View the newly published report at mnjrc.org/peace.

08/12/2026

"I felt like, you know, these people genuinely cared for us and how they can assist in our personal lives. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I’m…just a file in a system.’"⁠
⁠
We partnered with Saint Paul’s Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) to evaluate its gun violence intervention approach, Project PEACE. We’re breaking down our evaluation on socials.⁠
⁠
Today, let’s explore our findings, including what we discovered about PEACE’s role in the city’s violence prevention ecosystem and how this approach is making an impact.
⁠
Next week, we'll cover the recommendations we made for ONS leadership to learn from these findings. View the newly published report at mnjrc.org/peace.

08/06/2026

In Saint Paul, Black residents are 13 times more likely to die from gun homicide than white residents.

The city is addressing this: Enter Project PEACE, a gun violence intervention approach that uses life coaches as credible messengers to reach and support the residents most affected by violence. Over the last two years, MNJRC partnered with Saint Paul’s Office of Neighborhood Safety to evaluate Project PEACE. Our report is out now, and we'll be breaking down our key findings and recommendations on social media over the next few weeks.⁠
⁠
Today, we’re starting with how this project came to be and the questions we set out to answer.⁠
⁠
Next week, we’ll review what we discovered about PEACE’s role in the city’s violence prevention ecosystem and how this approach is making an impact. View the newly published report at mnjrc.org/peace.

07/30/2026

What would our system look like without cash bail? Would everyone accused of a crime just go free? Would no one? Spoiler alert: It would be a balance, with only those likely to harm staying in, while the majority of people are released.

Minnesota’s current pretrial system is a two-tiered system of justice, where people with money go free—even if they pose a safety risk to the community—and people who don’t have money stay in jail—even if they don't need to be there.

One of the key pieces of the Pretrial Justice Coalition's vision for our pretrial system is called the "Intentional Release/Detain System" which would replace our wealth-based system with one that actually prioritizes community wellbeing. This short explainer video walks you through what the intentional release/detain system we're fighting for would look like, and how it would make us all safer.
⁠
Watch and share the video: youtu.be/H9i6aGkvleo

The intentional release/detain system is just one piece of the puzzle. Our vision also includes improved supports for victims/survivors throughout the process, increased funding for pretrial service organizations, and more.

Explore our vision and get involved by joining the Pretrial Justice Minnesota Coalition (pretrialjusticemn.org) as we advocate for a pretrial system that prioritizes community safety and wellbeing, not wealth.

07/27/2026

Join MNJRC and the rest of the PJM Coalition for a community kickoff and learn how you can be part of a statewide, community-led movement to end the criminalization of poverty and build a pretrial system rooted in accountability, freedom, and fairness. The coalition's vision is informed by MNJRC's study of our state's pretrial system.

When: Thursday, August 13 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Where: Lexington Park, 2131 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN

Here's what's to expect:

• Ice cream from Sweet Fruci and other refreshments
• Fun lawn games
• Meet members of our coalition and learn about our four working committees
• A chance to connect with other community members, legal system allies, organizers, and neighbors who care about justice, just like you!

RSVP now: https://www.mobilize.us/mnfreedomfund/event/970964/

See you there 🍦