The Effect of DNA Databases and Ban-the-Box Policies on Recidivism

Jennifer Doleac, a national leader on criminal justice issues, will present evidence that adding felony convicts and arrestees to DNA databases dramatically reduces recidivism, leading to cost-effective reductions in crime. She also will discuss the implications for using technology to fight crime more effectively and will present her research that ban-the-box policies, which are intended to make it easier for felons to reintegrate in the workplace, have negative unanticipated consequences.