Events

Justyna Rzewinski, LCSW, is a dedicated advocate and influential voice in justice reform, currently pursuing her PhD at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School. With training from John Jay College and Hunter College, she has held impactful roles including Clinical Director of a large outpatient mental health and substance use program and Clinical Supervisor in Correctional Health Services at Rikers Island, where witnessing the mistreatment of individuals with mental illness led her to come forward as a whistleblower. Her testimony before the NYC Board of Correction sparked public outcry, community support, and an official Department of Investigation inquiry. She has taught at John Jay College, LIU, and Wurzweiler, focusing on justice-involved individuals, sex offense policy, and voting rights, while mentoring students and emerging professionals. Her advocacy includes work with the Reform Alliance on civic engagement for people on parole, organizing voter registration efforts, and presenting at national conferences. Now serving as Clinical Director of a supervised release program, she continues to lead meaningful change, advancing policies that promote dignity, accountability, and systemic reform.

Justyna Rzewinski will present on the ethical challenges of working within New York City’s jail system, focusing on her experience as a Clinical Supervisor in Correctional Health Services at Rikers Island and the systemic neglect, abusive staff conduct, and harmful conditions she witnessed, including the prolonged use of solitary confinement on individuals with serious mental illness. She will explain how these conditions compelled her to testify publicly before the New York City Board of Correction as a whistleblower, an action that led to a Department of Investigation inquiry, the creation of a DOC directive prohibiting “deadlocking,” and increased scrutiny from advocates and policymakers. Her presentation will connect these events to core ethical principles, such as the duty to challenge injustice, protect clients from harm, and act with integrity despite institutional pressure, and will highlight the moral injury faced by clinicians in punitive environments. Justyna Rzewinski will also outline the legislative and policy reforms she is actively working on, including strengthening the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, expanding mental health diversion through the Treatment Court Expansion Act, and advancing voting rights restoration for justice-impacted individuals, demonstrating how whistleblowing can evolve into sustained, systemic advocacy.

Thursday December 11th Community Hour (1:40 - 2:55)  We will send the Zoom link the day before. You’re also welcome to come to NB 10.65.36 to watch in person