Priority Questions Related to Strategic Goal 5: Administer Just Court and Correctional Systems

Running immigration courts and the federal prison system are among the Department’s most solemn responsibilities.

We prioritize two questions in this area. The first is aimed at improving immigration court proceedings by identifying and adapting technical innovations from other courtroom contexts.  The second concerns the long-term impact of programs, provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons under the First Step Act of 2018, that are designed to support individuals’ reentry into the community and reduce the risk of future recidivism.

Priority Questions:

• What technical innovations in courtroom proceedings more broadly can be adapted into the immigration context?
• What is the long-term impact of First Step Act programs on formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the community?