Analyst - Analyst Center for Court Innovation Employee Review

Supportive community and admirable mission to improve our courts.

Salary may be lower than desired because organization is a non profit but the reward of contributing to a just cause balances it out.

The salary is decent if you fight for

Working at Brooklyn Justice Initiatives (BJI) was, without question, the most disillusioning professional experience of my career. As a licensed clinician with over a decade of experience in trauma-informed care and mental health support, I joined this organization hopeful that I could contribute meaningfully to a mission that, on paper, claims to promote social justice and support individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Unfortunately, what I found was the antithesis of that mission. From the outset, it was clear that BJI suffers from a severe lack of organizational structure. Leadership is not only ineffective but demonstrably unqualified. Supervisors frequently made decisions with no grounding in best practices, clinical knowledge, or ethical standards. Direction was inconsistent or absent, and staff were left to navigate an unregulated and chaotic environment without proper support or oversight. The office culture was toxic and demoralizing. Staff were visibly unmotivated, often upset, and emotionally drained. High turnover was the norm; not the exception; and this instability made any continuity of care or program development virtually impossible. The few who remained did so out of necessity, not inspiration. Morale was consistently low, and meaningful team collaboration was nonexistent. While the organization touts its commitment to social justice, this is largely performative. In practice, BJI prioritizes fulfilling city and state contracts over providing actual support to clients. Many staff members were hired with no clinical training or understanding of trauma, and mental health services were practically nonexistent. As a clinician, I was repeatedly told to “keep it quick,” reducing human beings in crisis to checkboxes on a form. Clients received a phone, a snack, or a metro card; but not care, dignity, or healing. The lack of accountability was disturbing. Falsified notes, absenteeism, and outright deception were commonplace. Staff who raised concerns about these unethical practices were met with hostility or outright dismissal. I was ultimately terminated for advocating for myself and for the dignity of our clients. After confronting discriminatory behavior from a client and reporting it to leadership, I was let go; despite having done nothing more than uphold professional and ethical standards. To those considering employment at BJI: approach with caution. This organization is in dire need of a systemic overhaul. It fails its mission, its staff, and—most tragically—the very people it purports to serve. If you are a professional committed to integrity, trauma-informed care, and real social justice, this is not a place where your values will be honored or your expertise respected.