Unlocking Justice

The Power of Data to Confront Inequity and Create Change
Princeton University Press — June 2, 2026

Unlocking Justice confronts America’s unfair criminal legal system—with data and humanity. Drawing on police call logs, chaotic city websites, fragmented judicial records systems, and more, it uncovers how data can empower communities, spark public debate, and drive advocacy.

From a rural New England town plagued by police misconduct to New York’s infamous Rikers Island Jail to federal courtrooms where racial bias hides, readers will journey across the nation, exploring the transformative power of data. Regardless of how they feel about numbers, they will come away with hope, knowledge, and the inspiration to demand transparency, accountability, and justice for all.

“A fascinating glimpse into the intersection of statistics and social justice. … Topaz’s lively, contemporary and wonderfully droll tone … a wise and witty companion.” — Anna Britten, Significance (Royal Statistical Society)

“A proud invitation to work towards justice and equity in the criminal justice system using math and statistics, made accessible for a wide audience. … A compelling story with enough mathematical crumbs to whet the appetite.” — Kimberly Spayd, American Mathematical Monthly

“An easy, engaging read that doesn’t ask you to agree with it before it starts making its case. For mathematics students or instructors looking for reasons to care about statistics, it is hard to do better.” — Andrew Skirko and Jean Marie Linhart, Math Horizons

“Data can overwhelm as easily as it elucidates. Through real-life case studies of police misconduct and cash bail disparities, Unlocking Justice provides a narrative bridge between data-driven research and social justice efforts.” — Gabriella Gage, Harvard Magazine

“A brilliant and bracing read for anyone who cares about justice in the world, cares about doing better, and cares about doing it rigorously. Chad Topaz leads by example, with a rare combination of generosity, wit, and self-awareness backed up by unwavering mathematical precision.” — Eugenia Cheng, author of Unequal: The Mathematics of When Things Do and Don’t Add Up

“Chad Topaz’s careful, quantitative examination and analysis of the criminal justice system isn’t written just for data nerds like me. It is essential reading to truly get to the bottom of the stubbornly persistent injustices in our law enforcement, court and penal systems, and shines a light on how to bring real, lasting change.” — Kimberly Atkins Stohr, columnist, The Boston Globe

Want the research behind the stories? Show Your Work links to the peer-reviewed papers and data for every chapter.

For speaking engagements related to the book, contact Sydney Bartlett at PUP Speaks.