Justice Information Sharing

The power of information technology is multiplied when information is shared between different parts of the justice system. The challenges that accompany information sharing, or “IT integration” are complex.

Technical challenges of matching databases and building network connections are only part of the task. Developing the organizational strategies to support operational information sharing can be much more difficult. States need new ways to budget for interagency and cross-jurisdictional projects. Sharing information may require changes to agency policies and practices, and in some cases, underlying legislative authorities. Interagency efforts may require special management or governance structures. Justice IT integration depends on partnerships with courts and agencies at the local level. Partners at all levels may require significant investments to be ready for IT integration.

Privacy Policy Development
Major improvements in justice information sharing now allow criminal and civil justice records to be shared, synthesized, sold, and analyzed at speeds and with an ease not previously imagined. Unfortunately, in addition to many public safety benefits, these improvements can have unintended consequences. For example, the sharing of information concerning victims, witnesses, intelligence sources, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other justice personnel potentially exposes them to harm when privacy safeguards are inadequate.

The primary objective of a privacy policy is to publicly demonstrate how an agency intends to abide by existing laws while handling personally identifiable information. Privacy policies should address how a justice entity intends to deal with gaps or vulnerabilities in existing laws.

Governance Resources

Privacy Resources

Funding Resources

Other Resources

  • Justice Information Sharing Practitioners
    As a network of state and local Justice Information Sharing Practitioners, JISP is interested in best practices, standards and resources for solving the issues of information sharing within Criminal and Juvenile Justice, at local, state, and national levels. NGA serves as an Advisory Board member.