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In partnership with Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) on June 11th, the Justice Lab presented a virtual evening event featuring a half hour-long screening of the acclaimed documentary series College Behind Bars. It reveals the transformative power of higher education and puts a human face on America’s criminal justice crisis. A panel discussion moderated by the Justice Lab's Madison Dawkins followed the screening, and featured BPI's Executive Director, Max Kenner, and alumni, Dyjuan Tatro and Giovannie Hernandez.

In a time when so many of us have been isolated in our homes and as hopes for transformative and abolitionist justice reform come into tension and negotiation with another, the virtual space we created during this event made for a collaborative moment for thinking about the future of higher education in the American justice system.

We are excited to welcome Gladys Carrión as the newest addition to the Justice Lab, joining our Youth Justice Initiatives team as an Adjunct Research Scholar!

Gladys is a national leader in youth justice and has been a fearless advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system. She has received numerous awards and has served on several national advisory committees focused on reforming juvenile justice and promoting the well-being of children and young adults. She currently co-chairs the Lab's Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice, a group of current and former administrators who are advocating for the end of the youth prison model and a shift to a more community-based approach to youth justice.

Previously, Gladys was was appointed as Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), after serving as Commissioner of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for seven years. She has served as the Senior Vice President for Community Investment with the United Way of New York City, and the Executive Director of Inwood House, one of the oldest youth serving organizations in the city. As Commissioner of New York City's Community Development Agency under Mayor David Dinkins, Gladys led antipoverty efforts by restructuring the Community Actions Programs. Born and raised in the Bronx, Gladys is a graduate of Fordham University and New York University School of Law.

This research brief assesses the impact of a March 27, 2020 announcement from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), indicating that it would release up to 1,100 people jailed in county facilities for accusations of technical parole violations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full brief here.