Data Driven Justice: The Criminal Justice Data Training Initiative with Peter Alonzi

Episode Notes

What happens when students, faculty, and community leaders use data to reimagine justice—one spreadsheet, one policy, and one partnership at a time?

This episode of Pilot Projects explores the Criminal Justice Data Training Initiative (CJDTI) at the University of Virginia's School of Data Science. With funding from the Jefferson Trust, Professor Peter Alonzi and his students work directly with local agencies, jails, and policymakers to tackle urgent questions about incarceration, disparities, and evidence-based reform. From reducing jail overcrowding to challenging court fee cycles that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, this project demonstrates how data science can shape fairer outcomes in Virginia and beyond.

We hear from Professor Alonzi about the origins of CJDTI, its roots in UVA’s systems engineering program, and the importance of working hand-in-hand with community partners like criminal justice planners, police departments, and the Evidence-Based Decision Making policy team. With student-led research already producing award-winning papers and practical dashboards for law enforcement, CJDTI highlights how experiential learning can drive systemic change.

Keep up with CJDTI projects and student opportunities at https://alonzi.github.io/cjdti/ and see the data at github.com/alonzi.

Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective and is based in Clemons Library at UVA. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds . The Pilot Projects show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci. This episode was engineered and edited by Sara Bastianelli and Jason Evans Groth. Original music used in this episode was written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth.