I think I read it already somewhere else, probably the crime and punishment thread, so this post is more a bout resurfacing someone eles idea:
A new civic category for crime/ law enforcement.
Suggestions:
Military Law
-1 crime rate per military unit in a city
+1

per military unit in a city
+100% maintenance for number of units
Requieres: Something from ancient area I would say.. not sure which tech though
Reeducation
+1

from Jail
-3 crime rate from jail ( lesser chance of repeated offenses)
-5

from jail ( higher skilled personal)
Requires: Psychology
Precrime (like in Minority Report)
Enables Precrime Department, gives -15 crime rate and +5 local stability/turn, cost whatever feels good for balancing
+ 15

in 10 largest cities for 20 turns after switching
+ 10

in all other cities for 20 turns after switching
I imagine that to be a concept that takes some time getting used to for the population.
Requirements: Artificial Intelligence.
Manual Labor
+2

, -1

from Courthouse
Workers build improvements 10% faster
Requires: Paved Roads ( not ideal.. but it would definetly something you would use convicts for)
Forced Service
5% faster construction of military units per 50 crime rate.
-20% Great General Emergence
Requires: Trench Warfare
Gladiators
-5 crime rate for Fighting Pit, Arena, Colloseum
Requires: Combat Sports