Joshua Crawford

Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives

Joshua Crawford is a nationally recognized criminal justice expert whose work focuses on crime prevention, effective policing, and public safety policy. An engaging speaker and policy strategist, Joshua brings thoughtful analysis and actionable solutions to the biggest challenges facing America’s criminal justice system. He also sheds light on the underreported but significant link between public safety and upward mobility—how reducing crime empowers communities to attract businesses, increase jobs, and boost economic opportunities for lower-income residents.

Biography 

Joshua is the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity. A well-regarded expert on gang violence and criminal justice policy, Joshua has testified before local and state legislative committees as well as Federal agencies and a Presidential commission. Joshua is a former prosecutor who frequently authors studies on reducing violent crime, writes state legislation, and helps city governments implement policy changes to reduce crime and recidivism. 

Education

Joshua has a B.S. in Crime, Law, and Justice from Penn State University (2012), a JD from Suffolk University Law School (2015), and a MA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (2023).

Media

Joshua has written for national outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Newsweek, National Review, and the Washington Examiner. He has also examined crime trends for specific cities in outlets including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Sun-Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more. Selected writings are below.

Topics

• Public Safety Policy
• Crime Prevention
• Gangs
• Juvenile Criminal Behavior
• Homicide Rates
• Policing Strategies
• Sentencing and Corrections
• Re-entry and Rehabilitation 
• Recidivism Reduction 
• Upward Mobility and Crime

Key Messages

1. Reducing crime is a foundational step to creating more prosperous communities where people can find good jobs and improve their lives.

2. The rise in violent crime in America isn’t inevitable—it’s the result of bad policy. That makes it a policy choice. The solution lies with smarter policy decisions at the state and local level.

3. Failed public safety disproportionately hurts poor and disadvantaged communities.

4. Policymakers can deter crime by holding violent offenders accountable, ensuring punishments fit the crime, focusing on the root causes of violence, reaching at-risk youth early, and supporting a well-funded, fair, and effective legal system.

Prior Experience

• Young Voices Contributor (2022-2023)
• Executive Director, Pegasus Institute (2019-2022)
• Co-Founder and Director of Criminal Justice Policy, Pegasus Institute (2016-2019)
• Deputy District Attorney, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office (2015-2016)
• Fellow, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation (2015) 
• Research Assistant, Massachusetts Bar Association (2013-2015)
• Clerk, Boston Municipal Court Judge Michael Coyne (2013)

Op-Eds and Commentary

Covid becomes an excuse for crime
Joshua Crawford in The Wall Street Journal | November 7, 2023

There’s a crime divide between Americans and politicians, and voters are watching
Joshua Crawford in The Hill | June 15, 2024

A path that could reduce Atlanta’s juvenile crime
Joshua Crawford in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution | June 6, 2023

We must rein in violent crime to help those who need economic opportunity
Joshua Crawford in the Chicago Sun-Times | October 8, 2022

Crime bill increased police, sentences and public safety
Joshua Crawford in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch | September 27, 2024

Why Kids Join Gangs—and How to Stop Them
Joshua Crawford in City Journal | March 21, 2025