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 fairness 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 solutions.
Areas of Focus
Improving Fairness and Public Safety
Advancing data-driven solutions to racial, economic, behavioral health, and other structural disparities in the criminal legal system to strengthen communities and improve safety for all
Building Pathways Out of and Diversion from the Criminal Legal System
Improving supports for people as they return to their communities after incarceration and preventing entry into the criminal legal system through alternative models
Preventing Wrongful Convictions
Promoting better forensic practices and legal decision-making to eliminate wrongful convictions and strengthen fairness of and trust in the criminal legal system
Advancing Fair Sentencing and Expanding Pathways to Release
Promoting second chances and fairer sentencing to build a justice system that values accountability, redemption, and public safety
Reducing the Harms of Criminal Legal System Involvement
Reducing behavioral health and financial harms to individuals as a result of criminal legal system involvement to create safer and more stable communities
What's Happening
The latest updates and news from the Wilson Center
News from the Wilson Center
Recap: Why People Don’t Appear For Court and What Happens When They Don’t
Part 2 of our Webinar Series “Life on Hold: The Impact of Driver’s License Suspensions” On March 19th, the Wilson Center for Science and Justice hosted the second installment of […]
From Research to Real-World Impact: Lessons from My Time at the Wilson Center
Samantha Richter Reflects on her Time in Our McAtee JustScience Lab I replayed the same forty-five seconds of audio three times before I realized I’d stopped transcribing altogether. It was […]
Recap: How License Suspensions Disrupt Daily Life
Part 1 of Our Webinar Series: Life on Hold On February 19th, the Wilson Center for Science and Justice hosted the first installment of the three-part Life on Hold series. […]
Renewing a Commitment to Justice: How the Wilson Foundation Is Sustaining and Advancing the Wilson Center’s Impact
In 2020, Duke alumnus Derek Wilson (A.B. ’86, M.B.A. ’90, P ’15) and the Wilson Foundation provided a $5 million grant to help found the Wilson Center for Science and […]
