The Smart Decarceration Project and the Joyce Foundation Examine Prosecutor-Led Gun Diversion Programs

As part of an ongoing research project studying the development and implementation of Prosecutor-Led Gun Diversion Programs (PLGDPs), The Smart
Decarceration Project, led by Associate Professor Matt Epperson and The Joyce Foundation are collaborating to organize a series of convenings to discuss and advance this evolving work. These interdisciplinary convenings have served as both an opportunity to curate presentations on a range of topics relevant to PLGDPs, and also to engage various PLGDP stakeholders in facilitated conversations, drawing from their collective wisdom and experience.

This report discusses some of the key takeaways from these generative conversations, as well as key questions for the field as PLGDPs continue to evolve and expand. These convenings have forged important connections between prosecutors and other criminal legal actors, service providers, advocates, and researchers. These gatherings have also made invaluable contributions to the research on this emerging program that holds significant promise for decarceration and for more effectively addressing issues of gun violence. We hope that this report provides useful information to those engaged in criminal legal, decarceration, and community violence prevention work.

Read the report, “New Responses to Illegal Gun Possession: Prosecutor-Led Gun Diversion Programs Convening Summary 2022.”