Evelyn F. McCoy

Evelyn F. McCoy is a research associate in the Justice Policy Center at the Urban Institute, where she focuses on correctional programming and assessment, jail reentry, family strengthening policy and practice, and alternatives to incarceration. Her work includes conducting quantitative and qualitative research, developing practitioner-friendly tools and guides, and providing direct technical assistance to jurisdictions improving justice system functioning. McCoy works with sites across the country as part of the Transition from Jail to Community Initiative, Innovation Fund through the Safety and Justice Challenge Network, Family Strengthening Policies and Practices, and Pay for Success Re-Entry Permanent Supportive Housing Demonstration. McCoy is a member of the Working Group on Best Practices, Tools, Clearinghouse, and Pilot Programs as part of the National Task Force on Fines, Fees, and Bail Practices.

Before joining Urban, McCoy completed her master’s degree in sociology and public policy at Peru’s Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, with funding from the Rotary International Global Grant. Her thesis evaluated programs and policy for adolescent victims of sex trafficking by working with diverse actors of the Peruvian government and victims in rehabilitation to evaluate and improve services. McCoy received the 2nd Prize of the National Human Rights and International Law Research Competition from the Institute of Democracy and Human Rights in Peru for her research. McCoy also completed her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American studies at the University of Pittsburgh.