For the Media

Midtown Community Court launches specialized court focused on offenders with serious mental illnesses

AM New York Metro

Providing alternatives to incarceration, the Center's Midtown Community Court's new Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMHC) will support individuals suffering from mental illness. Low-level offenses, such as shoplifting and illegal drug use, will now have social services and community service options that are restorative to both the community and participants. The Court's Youth Part has also been expanded to include young adults ages 18 through 25, reducing the risk of recidivism by targeting the root causes for criminal justice involvement.

The Meaning of a Stolen Diaper

The New Yorker

Using the example of parents and caretakers stealing diapers and baby products, the New Yorker looks at the debate happening in New York about low-level prosecution. The article cites our new report on shrinking New York's misdemeanor system and Michael Rempel, co-author of the study, shares that the harms that jail produces "are criminogenic—leading to higher rates of recidivism than would have otherwise arisen had people been released.”

Video Court and Language Impairments with Lisa Vavonese and Michele LaVigne

The NCJA Podcast

In a court setting, system actors are often assessing the credibility of parties. How is that different over video? Lisa Vavonese, our director of Research-Practice Strategies, joins the NCJA (National Criminal Justice Association) podcast to discuss the challenges and benefits of video court, which is becoming increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why The Dangerousness Standard Is Racist

NY Daily News

Christina Swarns argues against the dangerousness assessment that is being considered as a bail determinant in New York City. Citing our research, including the impact evaluation of the Center's SOS Brooklyn and "Closing Rikers Island" report, she advocates that these evaluations would not make our justice system better or our communities safer, rather they would further entrench discrimination into an already biased legal system.

“Already in the Trap”: Young New Yorkers on Why They Carry Guns

Vital City

Center researchers explain how their experience and credibility influenced how they approached interviewing New York City youth for our study on gun violence, "Gotta Make Your Own Heaven." They share the importance of centering community voices through this anecdotal narrative of their experience.

When Drivers Kill, Victims’ Families Feel Let Down by Justice System in San Diego

KPBS

Those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents often feel the legal system fails to hold drivers accountable. Highlighting our driver accountability programs that use the principles of restorative justice, KPBS radio in San Diego quotes our Amanda Berman, "Having to confront [the impact of your actions] and reckon with that is much more powerful and much more likely to change behavior."

What an Analysis of 2,000 Shootings Tells Us About How to End Gun Violence

Slate

In Slate, John Pfaff compares gun violence reduction strategies in both Philadelphia and New York City, citing our August 2020 report that looks at reducing this type of violence by addressing the root causes, often systemic, that negatively impact already marginalized communities.

Black New Yorkers Make Up Half of Misdemeanor Prosecutions in NYC, Study Finds

Gothamist

Gothamist reports on our study, supported by the Robin Hood Foundation, that finds vast over-involvement of Black and Brown people in misdemeanor prosecutions. While few of these cases result in criminal convictions, there is a heavy burden and cost to these interactions with law enforcement and the court system.

Brian Lehrer Close Reading Adams Blueprint to End Gun Violence

The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC

Discussing the city's Blueprint to End Gun Violence, Elise White, the deputy director of research at the Center, shares findings from our latest study on gun violence, which interviewed young people who use guns, and advocates for larger systems of support and resources to advance public safety and wellbeing.

This District Attorney Is Fighting Crime — and Angering the Police

The New York Times

An important piece from Emily Bazelon in the New York Times on crime, prosecution, and public safety. Citing a body of research, including our own, she showcases the "strong evidence that less prosecution and incarceration pays off in improvements in public safety."

Bronx Anti-Violence Organization Aims to Prevent Shootings, Put Kids on the Right Path

ABC 7 NY

Marisol Rivera is a violence interrupter with our Save Our Streets. This anti-violence program works to stop violence and prevent shootings before they escalate. "You can't tell a young person to put a gun down and don't replace it with a job, with a trade, or something they are interested in," Rivera tells abc7 New York of our approach.

Do We Protect NYC by Jailing New Yorkers?