Anne Milgram: Why smart statistics are the key to fighting crime

When she became the attorney general of New Jersey in 2007, Anne Milgram quickly discovered a few startling facts: not only did her team not really know who they were putting in jail, but they had no way of understanding if their decisions were actually making the public safer. And so began her ongoing, inspirational quest to bring data analytics and statistical analysis to the US criminal justice system.

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[_chloehq_]

POV: You only watched this because of school

[srinivasanraghunathan]

Anne Milgram's smart way of using statistics to reduce crime is certainly wonderful TED talk and it's easily qualifies to be 'strongly recommended' category. This is how the government and other law-enforcement officials should use the data to create a hassle-free environment, save public fund and ultimately make our life better. Well Done. Incredibly brilliant, and absolutely stunning out-of-the-box thinking.

[SeanLumly]

Fantastic! It's great that objective science is playing an increasing role in matters of public decision making. The numbers, with proper analysis, do not lie and can provide insight and visibility to things that were previously invisible.

Data analysis will not only improve the safety of streets, but will also improve medical outcomes by curbing disease transmission and providing insight into better combinations of treatments. It will help us reduce energy consumption and environmentally devastating pollutions that greatly affect our eco-system and quality of life. It will highlight what is actually working as we try for a smarter, more mentally competent society. And it may one day aid diplomacy and *drastically* reduce instances of war.

Stories like this are inspiring and I'm glad that data analysis and statistics are becoming increasingly fashionable. Kudos to Anne Milgram for having the wherewithal to use her influence to implement such a culturally dissonant yet wholly effective tool. The would-be victims of crime surely give their thanks.

[topgurl]

Can we have more people like her in important positions, please.

[elizapal]

I am very curious if there is any article/document that describes the analysis of the model that was created and implemented behind the interface. A paper where I could find some description of the variables used for the model. I hope it is not too much to ask! Please! 

[roymarshall_]

Step one, stop sending non-violent "criminals" who haven't hurt anybody else to prison.

[oAvalono]

Great presentation. I'm glad someone is taking steps to repair our criminal justice system. Special thanks for using valid logic instead of an appeal to emotion.

[geekgroupie]

What Do We Want?! Evidence Based Change!
When Do We Want It?! After Peer Review!

[BrickTamlandOfficial]

I thought raising the minimum wage was the best way to get rid of crime.

[wubranch]

I’m scared of a dip in qualitative assessment ability amongst judges with this tool. The best way to use this tool: as an organization of assessed data. The numbers don’t make the decision, the judge does. The whole point of a justice system is to find the exception.

[Geoffreynyachae]

cool stuff, I think I will do such a thesis and present this to Kenya government...

[LeonidasGGG]

I believe the real problem in 'merica is that they criminalized too many human behaviors (searching food, clothes, shelter, etc.) and do not do a good job at preventing such states (some even call it socialism, and fear it). This is, however, a really great tool for law & order. I sure hope they can implement it and expand it over the next years, or it is the young who will pay the price.

[MaceGarvin]

If judgement was a vehicle, having stats is like driving with a tuneup.  Smart talk.

[phyrisl]

Results speak for themselves, keep it up.

[medman]

How reliable is the dataset is > 60% of the offender population is senteced injustly. Is the dataset reliable then?

[califcamper]

This woman has indirectly killed three people due to her "ways of fighting crime", her DEA has suspended the license of a doctor who had practiced for 50 years and had not one complaint. He treated very complex cases in which many patients became bedridden with pain. Sadly when his license was suspended two families (so far) with patients, a beautiful mother and husband then had to deal with the only thing that works being taken away from them. She signed the complaint knew about it did not help she has blood on her hands and will the rest of her life. Look it up.

[deannascarlett]

great presentation, but I'm conflicted. although I believe it may benefit certain people, I also believe it could hinder others in the end who may have changed. for instant how would this work for someone who was a troubled juvenile becoming a mature, learned there lesson adult will those statistics follow them

[mshmbo]

A phenomenon. Though I could not believe that they didn't have such a tool in the US before this.

[ulaznar]

I think that the process would be better if it simply showed to the judges the how many risk factors presents the criminal and which percent of new criminal activity belongs to each risk factor. Added bonus if it showed the most similar cases to the one presented, with the choices made and the results of that choice. Having all of that data simplified to a single score doesn't explain how that score was given

[leavenless]

I'm an IT guy...  and no doubt that these data driven decisions will do some good. However, That system is merciless to those who might actually have a change of heart and want to change their ways.  By solidifying our decisions based on nothing but pure data driven risk tools is that you have to completely turn your back on the fact that a man can change his state and begin to move forward  just because a piece of data says they are likely to go back to their old ways.