Each completed trial and project is summarized in a “snapshot” that provides information about the trial rationale, design and findings. Given the one-page format, these are simple overviews to describe the trial and the results. Snapshots are designated either as “BetaGov,” indicating that the trial included a rigorous design and implementation, or as a “Spark,” indicating that the project used an alternative design such as a Phase 1 exploratory assessment, evaluation, or was limited by a pragmatic concern such as a limited sample size. Both the BetaGov and Spark snapshots provide useful feedback for partners in determining whether to adopt or expand the trial intervention, or to design additional trials or phases to continue to explore the targeted line of inquiry.
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
03/15/2018
Luke Morris, Administrative Captain
All cell checks were completed accurately in all the intervention housing units given the electronic cell-check system, whereas only 56% of random video checks in the control housing units using manually documented cell checks were accurate.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Muncy
The information provided to women about this program may be sufficient for reducing anxiety and associated misbehaviors, without the need for actually invoking a Chill Plan. Effect size: Cohen's d = 0.16.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Was conducted as an RCT with promising results, but misbehavior rate is low. There are several replications underway, which will benefit from larger sample sizes.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Greene
A mental health unit structured with only CIT-trained staff experienced fewer informal (lowerlevel) misconducts than a similar unit without CIT-trained staff.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Retreat
Although limited by a small sample size, the use of aromatherapy may be beneficial for improving resident behavior.
Vallejo (CA) Police Department (PD)
07/30/2017
Lieutenant Jason Potts
ALPR technology identified more stolen vehicles and assisted in more criminal investigations than traditional manual methods.
Barrie Police Service, Ontario, Canada
11/15/2018–06/15/2020
Rich Johnston, Danielle Hutchinson
This small randomized controlled trial found that, among community members who presented with AER, those who were assigned to receive services through the Situation Table had fewer police interactions in the 12-month followup period than would have been anticipated in he absence of the intervention. A difference-in-differences estimate shows that those assigned to the Situation Table had, on average, 5.4 fewer followup police contacts compared with people in the control condition (p<0.1).
Branford, Darien and New Canaan (Connecticut) Police Departments
09/01/17–12/31/17
Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, PhD, Darien Police Department
There were fewer stolen vehicles, vehicle burglaries, arrests and motor vehicle accidents when cruise lights were on during patrols, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of traffic stops.
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Education 06/29/18–09/15/19; Surveys 08/03/20–03/19/21
Becky MacDicken
A statistically significant difference in recidivism rates across the randomized intervention and control groups was found at 6-month followup but not at 12-month followup.
Barrie (Ont.) Police Service, Saskatoon (Sask.) Police Service, and West Vancouver (B.C.) Police Department
Data analysis spanned January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020
Rich Johnston, John Ng, and Nick Bell
The number of IPV reports was not significantly different during the Covid- 19 shutdown period in 2020 as compared with the overall trend for the same period in the previous years for Barrie or Saskatoon. No site-specific analysis was conducted for West Vancouver, given the small number of IPV reports in that location.
Richland County (SC) Sheriff's Department
01/31/18–04/30/18
Maria Yturria
Citizens in both the intervention and control areas were likely exposed to the trial intervention, limiting the ability to interpret findings. Both groups, however, reported high levels of satisfaction with relations between the Sheriff's Department and the community, and the roles of each.
Barrie Police Service (Ont.), Saskatoon Police Service (Sask.), and West Vancouver Police Department (B.C.)
01/2015–10/2019
Rich Johnston, John Ng, and Nick Bell
There was a statistically significant difference in the mean temperature between days in which at least one vehicle was stolen and days in which no vehicle was stolen, for the Barrie site only. No difference was found for Saskatoon or West Vancouver.
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
03/2018–07/2018
Jessica Reichert and Justin Escamilla
No statistically significant differences were found between reentrants who participated in the entrepreneurship program and those who did not. This could be attributed to poor retention rates as only 12 of the 72 participants in the treatment group completed the program.
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services; Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW)
03/06/20–06/09/20
Angela Folts-Oberle, Warden; Shaylee Carlock, Unit Manager; Cheryl Bicknae, Unit Manager; Brooke Bjerrun, Unit Administrator; Brieanna Kempel, Case Manager
Those in the incentive group had fewer misconducts than those not offered incentives for good behavior.
Keizer (OR) Police Department
05/25/19–08/19/19
Chief John Teague
Compared with the standard uniform, the addition of certain uniform components worsened respondents’ perceptions of the officer’s professionalism, approachability, and reliability. Load-bearing vests (LBV) had mixed results. Perceptions of professionalism, approachability, and reliability worsened when facial hair was included.
Vallejo (CA) Police Department
2014 - 2018
Lieutenant Jason Potts
Analyses of calls for service from 2014 to 2018 do not show a relationship between number of calls and phase of the moon.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP)
11/12/18–12/10/18
Debra Sahd, PADOC
The mindfulness group showed improvements compared to the control group in several postintervention outcome measures.
P.S. 182Q Samantha Smith School, Queens, New York
12/03/18–12/07/18
Andrew Topol, Rachel Rosenbaum, Nicole Schneider
Supplementing paper notifications with a phone-call reminder appears to be a simple way to improve parental engagement and increase online reading participation.
Alabama Department of Corrections. Limestone Correctional Faciility
12/17/2018
Katie Owens-Murphy, Ph.D.
In this small pilot project, we found that residents who were randomized to participate in the IF Project writing program experienced a significant reduction in anxiety compared with residents in the control group.
Vallejo (CA) Police Department
12/28/2018
Lieutenant Jason Potts
No auto thefts occurred on days when cruiser lights were kept on compared to four thefts on days when the cruiser lights were off.
Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC), Probation and Parole District 4
08/12/2017
Moira Lynch, Brandon Williams, Dylan Hobson, and John Lidgard
There was no difference in officers' perceived safety when meeting with clients with substance-use disorders, and no difference in their views on the utility of naloxone. Those given training and naloxone kits reported feeling less stressed during pat searches and perceived less need for additional training compared to the control group.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Camp Hill
02/28/2017
Laurel Harry, Superintendent, and Kathleen Zwierzyna, Deputy Superintendent
The use of notification letters outlining visitation and contraband rules did not reduce contraband-related misconducts.
Barrie, Ontario, Canada Police Service
2015 - 2018
Rich Johnston, Danielle Hutchinson
Analyses of calls for service from 2015 to 2018 do not show a relationship between number of calls and phase of the moon.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Smithfield
03/10/2017
Richard Kustenbauder and Joseph Eichenlaub
Increased STG monitoring allowed staff to proactively respond to identified threats immediately before violence occurred or drugs could be brought into the facility.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Conducted as an RCT. Low base rate in outcomes underscores the need for subsequent larger trials.
Wyoming Department of Family Services
06/30/16
Corrine Livers, TANF Program Manager
Providing weekly cash assistance to POWER clients resulted in shorter program retention with no increase in employment.
P.S. 182Q Samantha Smith School, Queens, New York
02/07/18–02/27/18
Rachel Rosenbaum, Nicole Schneider
Supplementing paper notifications with email reminders appears to be a simple way to improve parental engagement.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) State Correctional Institution (SCI) Muncy
Michael Schmid
The SCF model appears to be feasible and effective when used with incarcerated women. Effect size: Eta2 = 0.79 (informal misconducts) and Eta2 = 0.51 (formal misconducts).
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Randomized to two equivalent living units (individuals assigned based on bed availability). Study has been replicated with similar findings.
Clackamas County (Oregon) Community Corrections
01/15/2016
Kelli Zook, Transition Center Coordinator
Clackamas County Community Corrections sent text-message reminders to probationers and reduced their failure-to-report rate by one-third. Effect size: Cohen's-d = 0.28.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Solid methodology. Conducted as an RCT. Promising result.
Superior Court of Monterey County (California)
04/30/2017
Sandra Gates
Text messages may be a promising method for reducing failure-to-appear rates.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Conducted as an RCT. Subsequent trials planned with larger sample sizes.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Pittsburgh
Residents whose visitors received a notification letter outlining prison visitation rules and consequences for breaking the rules had a lower mean number of visits compared with residents whose visitors did not receive this letter. More contraband-related misconducts, including drug-involved, were found in the same group of residents. Effect size: OR = 0.94.
Categorized as a Level 3 test. Was conducted as an RCT. The study has been replicated with similar findings. Both RCTs found a trivial negative effect (in this study OR = 0.94). Not promising.
Irapuato ( Mexico) Citizen Safety Secretariat
May 2016–August 2019
Cristina Segovia, Guillermo Cisneros, and Pedro Cortés
Analysis of data between May 2016 and August 2019 finds no evidence of a “lunar effect” during this period.
ReadWorks
12/04/17–01/04/18
Veronica Edwards
Students were likelier to complete the reading comprehension assignment, and scored higher, when the image was at the beginning of the text, with effects diminishing with grade level.
Santa Barbara County (California) Probation Department
Karyn Milligan, Research & Special Projects Manager
More appointments were completed when the participant received a text reminder. Effect size: OR = 1.53.
Categorized as a Level 1 test. Was conducted as an RCT with a promising result but with several methodological limitations (small sample sizes did not yield balanced study groups). Several other text message RCTs are underway.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution (SCI) Cambridge Springs
Kevin Ace and Jamie Rodriguez
SCF appears to be an effective method for improving behavior among incarcerated women. Effect size: Eta2 = 0.97.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Randomized to two equivalent living units (individuals assigned based on bed availability). Study has been replicated with similar findings.
Monterey County (California) Probation Department — Juvenile Division
06/01/2017
William Sims, Robert Reyes, and Norma Aceves
Although the mean number of violations trended lower for those in the intervention condition, the difference between groups was not statistically significant.
Categorized as a Level 2 test. Conducted as an RCT with promising results but small sample sizes limit conclusions.
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), Economic and Employment Services, Food Assistance Unit
04/28/2017
Christopher Tomlinson, Special Assistant, Family Services Office of the Secretary
Although case workers and clients appreciated the text reminders, the intervention did not result in improved telephone response rates.
New York City Police Foundation, International Salsa Museum, Sir Ron Carter/Finding the Right Note Foundation, Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School, Council for Living Music
02/24/22–04/07/22
Willy Rodriguez, Det. Jason Anazagasty, and SSA Level III Charles Harper
Options: Wellness Through Music provided opportunities for officers to interact positively with youth. Audience members found the performance entertaining, considered Options: Wellness Through Music a good way for officers to improve relations with the community, and saw the performing students and officers from a new perspective.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Department (CMPD)
November–December 2021
Dr. Shaun Ward, Warith Muhammad, Torri Tellis
A larger percentage of participants randomly assigned to receive the modified training announcements completed the pre-course survey (a proxy for engagement) than did participants receiving a standard announcement.
Foster City (CA) Police Department
09/24/20–02/05/22
Tracy Avelar
Assessing community and police perspectives on a range of topics before and after adding “Peace Officer” decals to police vehicles found little change in community and police survey responses; however, responses were generally positive from both groups.
New York City Police Foundation
December 2021
Officer Joe Galletta, Detective Jason Anazagasty
Participating in the Options Wellness program is associated with significant increases in self-reported knowledge of what wellness means and how to find the local police station.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC)
02/25/19 – 05/16/19
Tracy Smith, Cheryl Horner, De’Andra Walker, Ross Miller, and Robert Flaherty
Measures of overall functioning and hostility improved for those in the intervention
Barrie (ONT) Police Service
04/01/19 – 06/30/19
Rich Johnston
The number of motorvehicle accidents at highcollision intersections did not differ between those with an increased police presence and those without.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) State Correctional Institution (SCI) Benner Township
01/16/19 – 03/16/19
Major Curtis Grice
Although all of the staff who used an HAD and responded to the Time 2 survey reported that they wanted to continue to use the desks, three out of four also reported feeling some leg discomfort while using the desks.
East Boise Community Reentry Center, Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC)
05/14/18 – 01/20/19
Sergeant Amy Walsh
In this small pilot, the majority of residents surveyed prior to the change in practice to address residents by their first names were not opposed to being called by their first names. A subsequent survey conducted once the firstname practice was in effect found that very few residents opposed this change.
West Vancouver (BC) Police Department
07/01/19 – 11/01/19
Dominic Toa, Nick Bell
Footwear data have linked multiple crimes to the same shoes and suggested additional crimes may have been committed by the same perpetrators on the basis of shoeprints.
Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) Probation and Parole Division, District 4 Field Office
06/04/19 – 10/24/19
Moira Lynch
No difference was found in perspectives about self and job before and after the introduction of VR to the workplace in this feasibility pilot study.
Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Maximum Security Prison (Lagos, Nigeria)
09/17/18 – 12/17/18
Alu Ogbonnaya Alu
Preand postintervention surveys document that participants in the ethics program had increases in selfconfidence, perceived selfagency, and awareness of ethical values such as personal integrity and compassion.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP)
10/12/18 – 08/19/19
Nicolette Bell, Kristofer Bucklen, Stacy Miller, Jeremy Stewart, Christine Habursky, and Debra Stewart
No data for OD events were available. No statistically significant results were found for secondary outcomes (recidivism, illicit drug use) between those who did and did not receive an opioid-OD-reversal kit.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
December 2019 – January 2020
Scott Weiant and Joe Lee
The number of total errors decreased for those using the new form; however, the distribution of the form versions was not random. Results may reflect experience in using the original form as a function of user type.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) SCI-Dallas
12/16/18 – 03/15/19
Tracy Smith, Cheryl Horner, Cheryl Scott
The number of misconducts dropped somewhat during TIP, but a larger drop was documented in the period after TIP was completed.
Grand Prairie (TX) Police Department
07/01/18 – 12/31/18
Assistant Chief Ronnie Morris, Analyst Heather Lane, Renée Mitchell
The north side experienced a larger decrease in crime compared with the south side, during the trial period, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC)
12/12/18 – 02/06/19
Gale Sherrid
There were no differences in participants’ job satisfaction or perceptions of wellness or productivity, before and after the installation of standing desks; however, most participants expressed a desire to continue using the desk.
Ashland (OR) Police Department
07/01/18 – 12/31/18
Assistant Chief Ronnie Morris, Analyst Heather Lane, Renée Mitchell
The north side experienced a larger decrease in crime compared with the south side, during the trial period, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Gonzales (CA) Police Department
02/18/19 – 10/31/19
Sergeant Juan Mendoza
Decals did not significantly change perspectives about the police and community police relationships.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP)
04/01/19 – 06/30/19
Jeff James, Danny McIntyre, Cheryl Scott, Tracy Smith, Lisa Faulkner, Maxine Stanley, Marlena Seguin, and Angela Grannas
This pilot project, intended to assess feasibility of sweattoxicology patches, revealed unexpected problems.
West Vancouver (BC, Canada) Police Department
02/22/19 – 04/22/19
Sgt. Nick Bell
When controlling for type of building/residence, no difference in reported TFA crimes was found between the intervention (reminder) and control (no reminder) conditions.