University of Louisville researchers are helping the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections by analyzing jail data that could help decide future criminal justice reforms. Their research is part of a nationwide project looking at jail population trends across the nation through the Research Network on Misdemeanor Justice, a project of the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College in New York City. The network consists of seven cities where researchers study lower-level enforcement trends to help communities address issues such as jail overcrowding. A recent report, "Understanding Trends in Jail Population in Louisville Metro, Kentucky: 2010 to 2019," was written by Tom "Tad" Hughes, UofL criminal justice chairperson and associate professor; Heather Ouellette, UofL assistant professor in criminal justice; and Brian P. Schaefer, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice with Indiana University Southeast. It was released July 30 by the DCJ. T