The U.S. justice system is one of the most expensive and least effective public systems in American life. We spend over $300 billion annually on policing, courts, and corrections. This is more than we invest in public health and higher education combined, yet recidivism and incarceration rates remain among the highest in the world. But what if we applied the tools of innovation, including technology, data, and design thinking, to shift that dynamic? That is the promise of Justice Tech: ventures that prevent incarceration, reduce harm for those inside the system, and create real pathways for returning citizens to thrive. It is a new category, one that sits at the intersection of impact and infrastructure, where justice reform meets venture capital. Just as we have seen climate, education, and finance technologies reshape legacy systems, Justice Tech is reaching its inflection point. The only question is whether we will meet it with the imagination and the capital it deserves.
Read More