Bail Reform in New York: What Have We Learned? What’s Next?

Bail Reform in New York: What Have We Learned? What’s Next?

Bail Reform in New York:

What Have We Learned? What’s Next?

Bail Reform

#NYBailConference

**PART TWO**

Bail Reform and the Media:

A Discussion among Journalists on the Influence of Media Coverage

A panel hosted by John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Data Collaborative for Justice

Friday, June 10th, 12pm-1pm

Click here to RSVP

CONFERENCE - BAIL REFROM IN NEW YORK: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? WHAT'S NEXT?

On May 13th, 2022, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with the Data Collaborative for Justice, hosted a public conference on New York State’s bail and pretrial laws, policies, and practices. This conference served as a forum on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we should go from here, including a diversity of perspectives through presentations, panels, and interactive roundtables. We were fortunate to have the participation of speakers who presented facts and data regarding bail reform and its impacts in New York (as well as helpful contextual information from around the country) and respectfully represent different consistuencies and concerns.  Ultimately, this conference served as a platform where all stakeholders in bail reform, from the public to system actors tasked with implementation can engage with the facts on this important policy reform, identified shortcomings in the relevant law and practice, and assessed opportunities for improving upon bail reform. 

PANELISTS AND MODERATORS

The conference included participation from expert researchers, criminal justice practitioners, advocates, legislatures, and government agencies.

DAYS EVENTS:

9:00 am - 10:45 am: Marquee Plenary

The goal of this two-part plenary session was to welcome everyone, provide an overview of the origins of bail reform, and provide an opportunity for a group of influential voices on bail reform to be heard (including legislators and other public officials and thought leaders whose role makes them especially critical speakers about New York’s reform). 

Welcome: President Karol V. Mason, John Jay College of Criminal Justice 

Part 1. The Origins and Evolution of Bail Reform

A conversation with The Honorable Michael Gianaris, Deputy Majority Leader, New York State Senate, and Errol Louis, Political Anchor, Spectrum News NY1

Part 2. A “Lightning Round” of Ideas on Bail Reform

Each participant was asked where New York’s bail reform could be improved, whether through changes to the law or to policy and practice on-the-ground. This conversation was also moderated by Errol Louis, and included with leading voices on public safety who have expressed views, positive and negative, about bail reform.

Panelists:

  • The Honorable Latrice Walker, New York State Assembly
  • James Quinn, Former Senior Executive District Attorney, Queens District Attorney’s Office, under District Attorney Richard A Brown
  • Alice Fontier, Managing Director, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
  • Charles Billups, Chairperson, Grand Council of Guardians
  • Kevin Sylvester, Chief of Police, Ossining Police Department
  • Akash Mehta, Editor-in-Chief, New York Focus
     

11:00 am – 12:20 pm: Bail Reform, Crime, and Pretrial Incarceration

This panel included a discussion of the existing evidence, data collection and research that is underway and discussion of what else is needed to address questions and concerns from the public, policymakers and practitioners.

Moderator: Michael Rempel, Director, Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College

Panelists:

  • Sandra Smith, Professor of Criminal Justice, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Aubrey Fox, Executive Director, New York City Criminal Justice Agency
  • Olive Lu, Senior Research Associate, Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College
  • Jaeok Kim, Associate Director of Research, Vera Institute of Justice
  • Jennifer Ferone, Associate Research Director, CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance
     

12:20 pm - 1:20 pm: Lunch Break & Student Roundtable

Lunch: Boxed lunches will be provided to in-person attendees (who must RSVP in advance and are subject to COVID-19 protocols – see below for details).

John Jay Student Roundtable: A John Jay Student roundtable conversation on bail reform will take place during lunch. [Note: This roundtable is for invited students]. 

Moderator: 

  • Andre Ward, Associate Vice President of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, Fortune Society
     

1:20 pm - 2:40 pm: Courts and Communities – Implementation of Bail Reform

A conversation among stakeholders about opportunities, challenges, and deficits of implementation, and any needed investments or reforms that could yield improvements, such as in pretrial supervision or other non-monetary conditions.

Moderator:  Krystal Rodriguez, Policy Director, Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College

Panelists: 

  • The Honorable David Soares, Albany County District Attorney
  • Martha Bailey, Executive Director, Wayne County Pretrial Services
  • Yung-Mi Lee, Legal Director, Criminal Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
  • Awinna Martinez, Former Project Director of the Staten Island Justice Center, Center for Court Innovation
  • Sarita Daftary, Co-Director, Freedom Agenda
     

2:50 pm - 4:10 pm: Bail, Pretrial Detention and Racial Equity

This panel brought together researchers, practitioners, advocates, and policymakers to discuss what we know about the extent to which bail reform has impacted racial disparities and  populations. The panel will also raise questions about, what, if any, impact bail reform has had on improving jail, budgets, operations and conditions .

Moderator: Insha Rahman, Vice President, Advocacy & Partnerships, Vera Institute of Justice 

Panelists:

  • The Honorable Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York State Assembly
  • Stan Germán, Executive Director, New York County Defender Services
  • The Honorable Russ Immarigeon, Hillsdale Town Court
  • Tiffany Bergin, Director of Research, New York City Criminal Justice Agency
  • Katie Schaffer, Director of Advocacy and Organizing, Center for Community Alternatives
     

4:15 pm – 4:30pm: Closing Remarks  

Jeremy Travis, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures and Former President of John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Questions about the conference should be e-mailed to: dcj@jjay.cuny.edu