Government Technology

Open Source in Justice and Public Safety


By the Center for Digital Government

Collaboration across the criminal justice and public safety networks is essential given the heightened state of security worldwide. Agencies need to share criminal histories and other vital personal and background information across departments, as well as streamline the court's management processes across secure networks. State and local government agencies must effectively share information within their organization, between departments and with citizens. Agencies must feel confident that the platform they are using for these efforts is stable, manageable and secure, and they must do so under tightening budget guidelines. As governments improve information sharing, law enforcement, corrections and courts can work more effectively and respond faster to emergencies. Open standards and interoperability have met these needs as the software has proven itself trustworthy and enterprise-capable in recent years. This issue brief, examines how open source technologies allow agencies to confidently and cost-effectively work together as an enterprise with mutual goals and ultimately support the delivery of services to citizens.



Government Technology
Public CIO
Emergency Management
Digital Communities