The Vanderbilt Project on Prosecution Policy (VPOPP) and Justice Innovation Lab (JIL) have announced the jurisdictions that will be joining the 2026 Justice Innovation Accelerator Cohort.
“The leaders from these jurisdictions across the country are ready to do the hard, creative work of reimagining how they solve problems confronting their justice systems,” said Alissa Marque Heydari, VPOPP Director.
The jurisdictions participating in the Accelerator are:
- Arlington, VA
- Bronx County, NY
- Chittenden County, VT
- Minneapolis, MN
- Norfolk, VA
- Northwestern District, MA
- Stanislaus County, CA
- Wyandotte County, KS
- York County, PA
The year-long program, a partnership between VPOPP and JIL, includes virtual sessions over five months culminating in a three-day, in-person workshop at Vanderbilt Law School with six months of follow up.
The Accelerator helps leaders diagnose root causes of dysfunction in the criminal justice system, build cross-sector partnerships, and test data-informed solutions that improve safety, fairness, and trust.
“Through design thinking, systems mapping, and hands-on collaboration, they’ll leave Nashville with a viable, actionable plan to implement back home,” Heydari said.
Prosecutors, advocates, and other criminal justice stakeholders interested in participating in next year’s Accelerator should email alissa.heydari@vanderbilt.edu for more information.