Deborah Koetzle

Deborah Koetzle is a Professor and Director of The Corrections Lab at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She specializes in correctional rehabilitation, risk/need assessment, and cross-cultural correctional practices. Her research emphasizes evidence-based interventions, drug courts, and reentry strategies. She has secured $10M+ in external funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation and Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. Her work spans international collaborations with institutions in Central America, the Bahamas, and Singapore.

• Education: Ph.D. (Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, 2006), M.A. and B.S. (Indiana State University)
• Key Projects: Includes a Central American prison rule of law study, Organizational Coaching Model evaluation, and a focus on trans individuals in correctional systems.

Her research interests investigate program fidelity, probation compliance, and the transferability of correctional strategies across cultures. She has authored/co-authored books like What Works (and Doesn’t) in Reducing Recidivism and Drug Courts and the Criminal Justice System.

• Awards: Includes the 2022 Marguerite Q. Warren Award (ASCR) and 2018 City & State Education Award.
• Grants & Labs: $10M+ in grants; directs The Corrections Lab, training curricula for correctional interventions worldwide.

She advises local, state, and federal agencies on policy and practice, including the U.S. Administrative Office of the Courts and Singapore Prison System. Her work bridges theory, policy, and real-world implementation in criminal justice reform.