Eric Grommon
Paul H. O'Neill ProfessorMonroe County (IN) Racial Justice Data Project
This project involved a researcher-practitioner partnership with the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO) and elected prosecutor Erika Oliphant to assess available administrative records and investigate how these records can be used to monitor performance and racial or ethnic disparities across several stages of MCPO decision making. To supplement the reliance on administrative records, the project team interviewed and surveyed MCPO staff, justice system professionals, community members, and justice-involved individuals to capture perceptions of MCPO, data-informed decision making, and racial and ethnic disparities in the local justice system. Beyond forming the foundation for future research and evaluation, the project identified data gaps to resolve in order to promote data-informed decisions. Further, the project proposed policy and practice reforms to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.