Jessica Gonzales-Bricker

Jessica holds over 12 years of experience in criminal justice research. Prior to joining the Meadows Institute, Jessica was a researcher at the Council of State Governments Justice Center where she designed and managed long-term research projects focused on victims’ compensation and statewide criminal justice initiatives. She also worked on projects related to behavioral health, juvenile justice, and employment. Jessica started her research career at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, where she designed research projects, planned and conducted trainings for juvenile probation staff, and monitored data integrity. Prior to that, she worked in the Texas House of Representatives as a policy analyst, where she focused on education and juvenile justice policy issues.

In her role at the Meadows Institute, Jessica leads a portfolio of evaluation, research, and data collection for the Center for Justice and Health. She also helps to develop and enact a research plan for the Center as it works to divert people with mental health needs from incarceration.

Jessica has a Masters of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at the University of Texas. She and her partner live in Austin.