The National Institute of Justice is the only federal agency devoted solely to bringing the benefits of scientific research and technology development to the nation's criminal justice system. We are the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. Our mission is to help criminal justice professionals by conducting research, assessing new technologies, promoting innovations and evaluating programs to learn what works and what does not work. NIJ applies a rigorous approach in all its efforts, both for those that benefit the larger criminal justice community and those that strengthen the internal workings of the Institute.