Carmen Dorsey

Carmen Dorsey, JD directs the Justice Policy Program at the USM Muskie School of Public Service. The program informs policy development and practice in civil and criminal justice systems in Maine and the nation, and focuses its applied research initiatives on critical areas shown to be effective in maintaining and improving community health and public safety. The program also provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to learn and apply research skills outside the classroom.

Ms. Dorsey is also director of the Maine Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) at the Muskie School . Under her leadership, the SAC collaborates with numerous justice agency partners in the state, including the Maine Department of Corrections, Maine Department of Public Safety, Maine Criminal Justice Commission, Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, Maine Judicial Branch, and various non-profits and local law enforcement agencies. During her tenure, the Maine SAC research team has produced high-quality reports and conducted research in community corrections, prisoner reentry, juvenile disproportionate minority contact, recidivism, gun crime, and sex offenses. Recently published reports, including the Maine Crime & Justice Data Book (April 2009) and Maine Crime Victimization Report: Informing Public Policy for Safer Communities(March 2008) have gained extensive state and national attention as significant contributions for legislative initiatives, outreach and public awareness efforts, and planning.