The oldest organization in CRJ's history, the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice (NESSV), began in 1878 and worked to create legislation that influence public morality and dissuade crime.
The NESSV went through a number of name changes as it took on more goals: in 1891 it was renamed the New England Watch and Ward Society following its new focus on organized crime in the Boston area.
Today, the organization provides services to ex–offenders to re-integrate them into society, and reforming the criminal justice system through public policy development while simultaneously pushing for legislation aiding adults with intellectual disabilities and troubled youth.
[citation needed] CRJ's policy work is partially accomplished through its research arm, The Crime and Justice Institute.
[6] Reporting on the study highlighted the increasing likelihood of recidivism, due to the decline in reintegration programs, and discussed law enforcement's challenge in not just putting criminals in prison, but finding methods to help them stop reoffending.