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Norval Morris Project Overview
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The Norval Morris Project is a dedication to Dr. Norval Morris, who passed away in 2004 after many decades of work in the fields of law and criminology. At the time of his death, Norval Morris was the Julius Kreeger Professor of Law and Criminology Emeritus at the University of Chicago Law School. He was an internationally recognized expert on the criminal justice system and prison reform, regarded one of the most influential writers in the field of criminal justice. He authored, co-authored, or edited 15 books and hundreds of articles during his 55-year academic career and was instrumental in founding NIC. Dr. Morris’ desire to see more effective use of research and evaluation in correctional policy and practice through improved collaboration in and outside of corrections is the major inspiration for this project.

The NIC Advisory Board asked the NIC Executive Staff to develop a program to honor the life and contributions of Norval Morris, including the notion of bridging research and criminal justice policy, practice, and programs. Project developers recognized that simply improving the content and availability of research knowledge is not enough to promote its application. Active strategies are required to insure that emerging knowledge reaches the field in a form that will lead most directly to its use. Justice System Assessment & Training (J-SAT)—a leader in innovating and implementing evidence-based practices in criminal justice systems—was engaged to assist NIC with this ground-breaking project. NIC and J-SAT have a long-standing relationship of collaborating to provide NIC-directed initiatives to various corrections agencies throughout the U.S.

The Norval Morris Project is designed to be more than a memorial for a true leader and interdisciplinary thinker. It aims to move corrections into strategic collaboration with other human service agencies, research, and the business community to meet the challenges of building a stronger and healthier society in the new millennium.

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:: USA.gov > U.S. Dept. of Justice > Bureau of Prisons > National Institute of Corrections > .:: Privacy & Disclaimers :: Accessibility ::.