About the Center for Health and Justice Transformation

Our Approach

The Center for Health and Justice Transformation (CHJT) at Brown University Health is dedicated to advancing health equity in the criminal legal system:

  • We bring together criminal legal system stakeholders to envision smarter, more compassionate approaches to justice.
  • We facilitate cross-sector community-based and systems collaborations to improve outcomes for justice-involved Rhode Islanders.
  • We advocate for inclusion to empower the voice of those who have a criminal record.
  • We create and disseminate information on best practices at the intersection of health and justice.
  • We are building an effective reentry system for Rhode Island.
  • We advance health equity for all who are impacted by the criminal legal system.
  • We champion criminal legal system transformation in Rhode Island through policy and program reforms.
  • We improve physical and behavioral health care for justice-involved individuals.
  • We research effective programs and interventions to improve the health of justice-involved individuals.
  • We educate students, providers, researchers, and policymakers about the public health implications of the criminal legal system.

Our Values

Collaboration

A more fair and representative criminal legal system that prioritizes public health and safety requires input and action from the community, decision-makers, non-profits and businesses, families, and any and all impacted by the criminal legal system. When we work, we engage as many voices as possible for true transformation.

Racial Equity

Mass incarceration disproportionately targets racial minorities. We believe we can’t seek healthy outcomes and transform our criminal legal system without centering our work on the devastation our current system has and continues to levy on persons and communities of color.

Lived Experience

We serve on behalf of the millions incarcerated, including their families and loved ones, and the community-at-large. As such, we stand behind and when necessary beside those most closely impacted by the criminal legal system.

Integrity

We are mission-driven people. We will always ask the difficult questions and reveal truths wherever they may lead, in our pursuit of a healthy and equitable criminal legal system.

Center for Health and Justice Transformation