How New York Reduced Mass Incarceration: A Debate

January 30, 2013

How did New York manage to reduce its prison population while also reducing its jail, parole, and probation populations over the past decade? Criminologists, policymakers, and the public have weighed the merits of police practices using low-level arrests to reduce crime. Now, noted criminologist Dr. James Austin, expert witness in the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Plata, and Dr. Michael Jacobson, President and Director of the Vera Institute of Justice, present their newly released report showing how local policies in New York City reduced the entire correctional population of the state. Join us for an engaging debate among criminal justice experts about the meaning and implications of Drs. Austin and Jacobson’s report.

On Wednesday, January 30, 2013, the Brennan Center for Justice presented, "How New York Reduced Mass Incarceration: A Debate." Panelist included:

  • Michael Jacobson, President and Director, Vera Institute of Justice; Co-Author, How New York City Policies Reduced Mass Incarceration for the Entire State: A Model for Change?
  • James Austin, President, JFA Institute; Co-Author, How New York City Policies Reduced Mass Incarceration for the Entire State: A Model for Change?
  • Donna Lieberman, Executive Director, New York Civil Liberties Union
  • Heather Mac Donald, John M. Olin Fellow, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
  • Glenn E. Martin, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs, The Fortune Society
  • Eugene O’Donnell, Lecturer, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former NYPD Officer

Moderated by Inimai Chettiar, Director, Justice Program, Brennan Center for Justice; Author of Forward, How New York City Policies Reduced Mass Incarceration for the Entire State: A Model for Change?, with introductory Remarks by Michael Waldman, President, Brennan Center for Justice

Co-Sponsored by The Vera Institute of Justice