Think tanks are public-policy research analysis and engagement organizations that generate policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues, thereby enabling policy makers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy. Think tanks may be affiliated or independent institutions that are structured as permanent bodies, not ad hoc commissions. These institutions often act as a bridge between the academic and policymaking communities and between states and civil society, serving in the public interest as independent voices that translate applied and basic research into a language that is understandable, reliable, and accessible for policy makers and the public (Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the US, Routledge 2007 and in The Fifth Estate: Think Tanks, Public Policy, and Governance, Brookings Institution Press 2016)
Here is a sampling of some think tanks and policy/research institutes who focus on criminal justice issues: