Out now!

Our 2023-2024 Annual Report

Detailing our work over the last fiscal year

Back of african american senior female patient sitting on bed in sunny hospital room

New report examines transport for people experiencing behavioral health crises

Changing the Route

Seeking Compassionate Alternatives to Police Transport in Involuntary Civil Commitment

Judge with a gavel

Our latest report

Wrongful Convictions in North Carolina

Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Continued Reform

A medical professional holds the hand of an elderly person using a cane

Wilson Center Releases New Policy Brief

The Aging Prison Population and Dementia

Best Practices for Care and Release

front view of the Duke Law School in the fall

The Wilson Center leads national and community efforts to reform our criminal legal system, in collaborations, policy work, and research, drawing on the energy and expertise of our students, faculty, and staff at Duke.
Faculty Director and Founder, Professor Brandon Garrett

About the Wilson Center for Science and Justice

The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law works to advance criminal justice and equity through science and law. The Center's work is non-partisan and evidence-informed. We engage with community stakeholders, academics, and policy makers to conduct and translate interdisciplinary research into effective and practical policy change.

Our work focuses on three key areas: improving the accuracy of the evidence used in criminal cases, promoting fair and equitable outcomes in the criminal legal system, and improving behavioral health outcomes for persons who encounter, or are at risk for encountering, the criminal legal system.

Areas of Focus

test tubes with q-tips and a bag labeled evidence

Accuracy of Evidence

Preventing wrongful convictions by improving and fundamentally reforming how scientists, the public, judges, lawyers, and jurors understand evidence presented in court

gavel in front of scales of justice on a desk. Two people's hands are visible

Equity in Criminal Outcomes

Promoting fair and equitable outcomes in the criminal legal system by identifying racial, economic, and other structural inequities at all levels

close up shot of woman sitting on a couch in front of a doctor with a clipoard wearing a stethescope. Only their torsoes and hands are visible.

Behavioral Health Needs

Improving outcomes for persons with mental illness and substance use disorders who encounter, or are at risk for encountering, the criminal legal system

What's Happening

The latest updates and news from the Wilson Center

News from the Wilson Center

Out now! Our 2023-2024 Annual Report

We are delighted to release our 2023-2024 annual report, which details our work over the last fiscal year! We’ve expanded our work in both the policy and the research arenas across […]

gun and bullets

Upcoming Panel Event: Perspectives on American Gun Violence

Perspectives on American Gun Violence: Finding New Synergies for Problem-Solving from Public Health, Public Policy, Crime Control, Economics, Justice, Advocacy, Politics, and the Media Date: November 19, 2024 Time: 12pm – […]

Back of african american senior female patient sitting on bed in sunny hospital room

New Wilson Center report explores alternatives to law enforcement transport for people experiencing behavioral health crises

For too many people experiencing acute mental illness, cries for help bring police and handcuffs rather than compassionate medical intervention. But this doesn’t have to be the case. The Wilson […]

Judge with a gavel

New Report: Wrongful Convictions in North Carolina

Today marks International Wrongful Convictions Day – a day designed to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful convictions and to shed light on the tremendous harms wrongful […]

Upcoming Events