Brazil discusses the creation of an institute of research and information on Justice

January 5, 2011 - To develop high quality public policies requires accurate data able to portray reality. The collection, analysis and dissemination of appropriate data provide the basis to detect and know more closely the needs and the results of the work already being implemented, besides assisting managers in making decisions.

In order to create and maintain a database and make researches in the areas of justice, the Justice Ministry is discussing the development of a proposal to create a National Institute of Justice Research and Information. The idea is that the institute will produce, compile and disseminate data in a systematic way on justice, drugs and public safety. Currently, one of the main difficulties in Brazil is to have accurate, compared and updated data in these areas.

Under the Ministry of Justice, the institute will be able to consolidate data on several areas, as well as establish technical standard with management indicators based on results. The institute should also establish an information policy between agencies of the Ministry of Justice and the Union (IBGE, IPEA, MCT, CNPq, etc.), states and local governments and civil society to support the development of public policies on justice, drugs and public safety.

According to the coordinator for Crime Prevention and Public Security Unit of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Brazil and the Southern Cone, Nívio Nascimento, the initiative will allow greater government efficiency in developing policies for public safety. "One of the main shortcomings of Brazil and most Southern Cone countries is to have updated data to elaborate their policies. The creation of an institute capable of gathering and analyzing data on homicides, drugs and prison system, among others, will allow greater accuracy for the government to think and implement policies in these areas. It is also a key element to ensure the quality of policies", says.

All stories