William H. Carbone, MPA

William H. Carbone Image
Distinguished Lecturer
Executive Director of Justice Programs and the Tow Youth Justice Institute
Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences
Education

MPA, University of New Haven, 1974
B.A., Providence College, 1972

About William

William Carbone is an expert on juvenile justice reform and reducing offender recidivism in the probation population.

During his tenure as executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the state of Connecticut’s Judicial Branch, Professor Carbone led a multi-year effort to reform the state’s juvenile justice system, leading to Connecticut achieving the greatest reduction in juvenile incarceration in the United States.

As executive director, he managed more than 1,600 employees in adult and juvenile probation, family services, juvenile detention, alternative sanctions, and pretrial release programs. He also supervised more than 55,000 adult probation cases and 6,000 juvenile detention and probation cases daily, with an annual budget of close to $200 million. Under his leadership, Connecticut became a national model of juvenile justice reform, and he helped develop innovative strategies for offender assessment, technology, and programming.

Professor Carbone is an expert on the impact of prison sentences on youthful offenders as well as status offenders, diversion, recidivism reduction, the harm of institutionalization, and family dysfunction. He is frequently quoted in the media about juvenile justice issues as well as issues related to the adult prison population, including prison overcrowding, bail practices, domestic violence, and offender rehabilitation.

He is the executive director of the Tow Youth Justice Institute, a University, state, and private partnership established to advance juvenile justice reform through collaborative planning and policy development, training, research, and advocacy efforts. He oversees research, facilitates data collection from state agencies, and develops recommendations for better policies and practices in youth justice. He developed the Institute’s Leadership Development Program – for mid-level managers who are actively involved in youth justice, including people working in law enforcement/policing, state and local government, public and private agencies, and nonprofits, as well as middle and high school teachers, parents, advocates, and community and faith leaders – to further juvenile justice reform.

Professor Carbone runs the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences’ internship and service-learning programs. He is a past recipient of the Center for Children’s Advocacy’s Champion for Children Award. He received his MPA from the University of New Haven and his B.A. from Providence College.

Research Interests

Juvenile Justice, Reduction of Mass Incarceration

Grants

Carbone, W.H. (2015) Community Supervision Strategic Planning.

Carbone, W. H. (2016) Tow Foundation-Youth Justice Institute.

Carbone, W. H. (2016) Restorative Justice Practices Project.

Carbone, W. H. (2020) United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Carbone, W. H. (2021) Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, to support the creation of the Connecticut Institute for Police and Youth Relations

Carbone, W. H. (2021) The Andrew Mellon Foundation, to support the College in Prison Program

Carbone, W. H. (2014 – 2022) State of Connecticut to support the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee

Courses Taught
  • CJ 221 Juvenile Justice System
  • CJ400, Criminal Justice Capstone
  • CJ 637 Criminal Justice Policy

In the Media

In the Media

Inside Philanthropy: After 35 Years, the Tow Foundation Reflects on the Past and Looks to the Future

Leonard Tow and his daughter, Emily, University of New Haven benefactors and honorary degree recipients, are profiled for their philanthropic endeavors, including supporting the University of New Haven’s Tow Youth Justice Institute. William Carbone, lecturer of criminal justice and executive director of the Institute, says the Tows have profoundly influenced public policy for juvenile justice in Connecticut.

In the Media

WNPR: WNPR with William Carbone

William (Bill) Carbone, senior lecturer and director of experiential education at the Tow Youth Justice Institute, discusses the Improving Outcomes for Youth Initiative lead by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, whose goal is to look at the state’s current policies and examine their impact.

In the Media

The GW Hatchet: Uptick in Property Crimes Most Concentrated in Ward 2

William Carbone, senior lecturer and director of experiential education at the Tow Youth Justice Institute, notes that an increase in valuable items in affluent areas may contribute to a jump in property crimes. He suggests that citizens should be more conscious of their belongings and take preventive action.

In the Media

WTIC-AM: Criminal Justice Reform Part I

William (Bill) Carbone, a senior lecturer and director of experiential education at the tow youth justice institute, speaks about the latest trends in criminal justice reform. This is the first part of a two-part interview with Connecticut public radio.

In the Media

WTIC-AM: Criminal Justice Reform Part II

William (Bill) Carbone, a senior lecturer and director of experiential education at the tow youth justice institute, speaks about the latest trends in criminal justice reform. This is the second and final part of a two-part interview with Connecticut public radio.

The Crime Report: Raise the Age Gets New Look in Connecticut

William Carbone, director of the Tow Youth Justice Institute, comments on the governor’s new attempt at a groundbreaking juvenile justice reform effort this year, pushing to raise the age at which most young offenders go before an adult court to 21. The story was featured in other publications nationally.