Y’all, I wrote a book! The Science of Second Chances is based on my decades of work studying crime and criminal behavior, first as an economics professor and now as a policy expert at Arnold Ventures. It shares what we know from cutting-edge research about how to intervene at each stage of the criminal justice process to break the incarceration cycle and give people a real second chance. Most books in the criminal justice space have a “burn it all down” vibe — pointing out lots of problems and leaving readers feeling hopeless. But I work in this field and feel hopeful and optimistic every day. There are so many effective ways to put people on a better path, and we’re learning more about what works all the time. This book is a product of that optimism, focusing on solutions. I share many feasible interventions that make a big difference — alongside cautionary tales of good ideas that did not pan out, or even backfired. And I also share how economists like myself learn what works, through careful trial and error, in order to make big, scalable change a reality. I hope these ideas spur fresh conversations about how to help people and communities thrive. The Science of Second Chances is available for pre-order now, and will land on your doorsteps or e-readers on February 24. Please share with your networks. 🙏🏻