Press

Citing our new research on the impact of one year of state-wide bail reform in New York City, Gothamist reports criminal justice reform is not likely behind the city's spike in shootings.

Citing our 2016 national study finding that more than a third of young people involved in the U.S. sex trade were boys and young men, this article details the challenges presented with supporting those victimized in ways the public often assumes applies mostly to women and girls. For many men and boys, incidents are not reported, their stories stifled by stigma and shame, keeping these victims unseen and without access to help they need.

Citing our report on New York City's jail population under COVID-19 and our forthcoming lookback on the city and one year of bail reform, The New York Times reports city jails are now more full than they were before the start of the pandemic. The Times found unsafe conditions and the fear of contracting the virus are fueling a mental health crisis behind bars, with rising rates of self-harm among people detained.

In a five-day public safety experiment in one Brooklyn precinct, police withdrew from their posts and local anti-violence groups stepped in. “Together we can come up with the right answer when we work as a collective,” said Hailey Nolasco, director of our RISE Project, adding that she believes public safety should be led by community members.

Community courts are a way to holistically address underlying issues— like substance use disorders, mental illness, or unemployment— to improve public safety and reduce reoffending. “In these challenging times, Albany’s award reaffirms the important work being done by community courts,” said Aaron Arnold, our director of technical assistance. “It’s a huge accomplishment to win this highly-selective national competition, and we look forward to working with them.”

WNYC takes a comprehensive look at the factors fueling the recent rise in New York City's jail population, citing our recent analysis of the impact of COVID-19 and of the two waves of state-wide bail reform.

During a rise in gun violence in New York City, the New York Times looks to understand why. They share the findings from our year-long study in areas of New York with high rates of gun violence, showing that many people in those communities don’t feel protected by authority figures, including the police, and are facing cycles of trauma, violence, and systemic disinvestment in communities.

Citing our findings of the surging number of people in New York City jails awaiting trial, The New York Times looks at how COVID-19 is disrupting the city's courts—imperiling not only people's health, but their constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Barry has been arrested approximately 160 times, while facing drug addiction, homelessness, and a lack of job skills and opportunities. As our executive director Courtney Bryan and senior staff say, there are alternatives to the criminal justice system that can address the underlying factors that cause the behavior and find solutions for a new path forward.

New York City’s jail population is close to reaching pre-pandemic levels. The Appeal reports, "The city’s jail population, now over 4,700, is largely the result of a growing number of people held awaiting trial. According to a recent report by the Center for Court Innovation, between the end of April, when the city took emergency COVID-related decarceration measures, and Nov. 1, the pretrial population incarcerated in city jails has increased by more than 28 percent."