Colby Dawley

Colby Dawley has focused primarily on CJI’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative project, assisting states reform their criminal justice system to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Colby leads a team that reviews a state’s criminal justice system, makes policy recommendations, and helps with drafting, passage, and implementation of reforms. Before joining CJI in 2010, Colby worked for several criminal defense attorneys, gaining a thorough understanding of the justice system and developing her passion for legal research on federal and state criminal laws. Colby is committed to assisting states in the development and implementation of criminal justice reforms that align with the research on what works to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and improve outcomes for offenders. Colby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science in Crime and Justice Studies from Suffolk University.