Announcing a new resource:
North Carolina Technical Assistance Center Releases Diversion Handbook
A guide for communities implementing diversion programs connecting people to substance use services instead of incarceration
Our latest resource:
The Life Sentences Dashboard
Users can explore two decades of life sentences in the United States
Center receives $5 million gift from alumnus Derek Wilson
New gift renews Wilson’s commitment, allowing the Center to continue and expand its work in creating a safer and fairer criminal legal system
Out now!
Wilson Center Releases 2024-2025 Annual Report
Check out spotlights from our work over the last year
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
Paul R. Genender Joins Advisory Board of the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School is pleased to announce that Paul R. Genender (Duke A.B. ’91, J.D. ’94) has joined the Center’s Advisory Board. […]
North Carolina Technical Assistance Center Releases Diversion Handbook
A guide for communities implementing diversion programs connecting people to substance use services instead of incarceration Across North Carolina, communities are rethinking how they respond to low-level, non-violent offenses related […]
Event Recap: The Alabama Solution Screening and Talkback
Last month, we were privileged to partner with the Duke Justice Project, Duke’s undergraduate group focused on advancing criminal justice, to host a screening and talkback of HBO’s The Alabama […]
New Resource: Our Life Sentences Dashboard
Users can explore two decades of life sentences in the United States The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke University School of Law has released a groundbreaking new […]