♪ [THEME MUSIC] ♪
>> HELLO I'M RONNIE ELDRIDGE.
WELCOME TO ELDRIDGE &
COMPANY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE WEBSITE FOR
JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL
 JUSTICE, YOU WILL SEE WHY
I RAVE ABOUT THIS REMARKABLE
INSTITUTION. AND IF YOU WATCH
SOME OF THE VIDEOS, YOU'LL SEE
WHY WITHOUT EVEN MEETING HER I
ALREADY LOVE IT PRESIDENT, KAROL
MASON. AND SHE'S MY GUEST TODAY.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO WONDERFUL TO READ.
SO IT'S JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND
FAIRNESS.
>> ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS
ATTRACTED TO JOHN JAY, WE ARE
EDUCATING THIS GENERATION OF
STUDENTS NO MATTER WHAT THEIR
PROFESSION IS TO APPROACH
EVERYTHING WITH THIS FOCUS ON
EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE.
>> YOU COME FROM -- YOU
SPENT A LONG TIME AT THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT.
YOU ALSO SPENT A LONG TIME IN
PRIVATE PRACTICE.
>> I DID.
I THINK THAT’S A NICE WAY OF
CALLING ME OLD.
WHICH I AM.
>> YOU ARE NOT OLD.
>> SEASONED. BUT I DID. 
I PRACTICED LAW FOR 30 YEARS 
AND RETIRED FROM A LAW FIRM 
IN ATLANTA.
SPENT EIGHT YEARS AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE
LAST 3.5 YEARS AS THE ASSISTANT
ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE OFFICE
OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS WHERE I
BECAME FAMILIAR WITH JOHN JAY
AND THE WORK JOHN JAY DOES.
>> I’VE WORKED WITH JOHN
JAY FOR A LONG TIME AND I’VE
BEEN INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL
JUSTICE FOR LONG TIME ESPECIALLY
WOMEN IN PRISON.
NEVER LOOKED AT IT THE SAME WAY
AS I LOOK AT IT THIS TIME.
IT HADN'T BEEN POINTED OUT TO
ME IT IS A MINORITY AND LATINO
SERVING COLLEGE. I THOUGHT 
THAT WAS SO INTERESTING.
13,000 STUDENTS.
>> 15,000.
>> NOT OVER 50% BUT
WELL IN THE 40% IS HISPANIC.
>> OVER 50% NOW.
WE'RE MAJORITY MINORITY IN THE
75% RANGE.
ACTUALLY MORE THAN THAT.
A WONDERFUL INSTITUTION.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES THE
CITY AND UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
AND JOHN JAY AND PARTICULAR SO
SPECIAL, WE ARE EDUCATING YOUNG
PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE
FUTURE LEADERS AND IT IS A
WONDERFUL PLACE TO SEE THE
EXCITEMENT AND ENERGY AND
PASSION OF STUDENTS WHO WILL BE
LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS RUNNING
SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, OUR
PUBLIC SERVICE ADVOCATES.
>> IT MUST BE ESPECIALLY
GOOD FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU
BEING AFRICAN-AMERICAN ALL YOUR
LIFE AND A WOMAN.
REALLY PUSHING IT AND
UNDERSTANDING THE PRESSURES.
IT'S TERRIFIC.
NOT EVERYBODY WHO GOES THERE
LANDS UP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
THEY GRADUATE WITH AN
UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS SUCH
A THING AS JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD
WHICH IS MISSING.
>> THEY GRADUATE,
UNDERSTANDING, WE ARE ALL
CITIZENS AND WE HAVE A VOICE AND
A RESPONSIBILITY AS CITIZENS.
WHETHER THEY ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS, PROBATION OFFICER,
SCIENTIST OR ARTIST,
THEY APPROACH LIFE WITH
UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE A VOICE
IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY UNDERSTAND CIVIC
RESPONSIBILITY AND GOES BEYOND
VOTING.
THEY UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE
A VOICE TO HOLD ELECTED
OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE.
>> SUCH AN INCREDIBLE
THING.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN
POLITICS.
I WAS BORN ON FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
BIRTHDAY.
IT WAS MY SEVENTH GRADE
CIVICS TEACHER WHO
BROUGHT THE MESSAGE OF WHAT IT
MEANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNITY AND THE
RESPONSIBILITIES PEOPLE HAVE AND
I THINK THAT IS LACKING IN MOST
PLACES.
>> WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT
JOHN JAY’S MANY OF OUR STUDENTS
ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES
TO GO TO COLLEGE.
MANY ARE NOT CITIZENS IN THE
LEGAL SENSE BUT THEY ARE ALL
CITIZENS IN THE SENSE OF THE
RESPONSIBILITY THEY HAVE TO
THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THEY DON’T THINK ABOUT I.
THEY THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY
HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GO BACK TO
DO IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO HELP
THEIR COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE THE
AMERICAN DREAM.
>> AND IT'S A FOUR YEAR 
PROGRAM WITH A WHOLE BROAD
CURRICULUM OF-
>> 19 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
WE HAVE MANY MAJORS.
RANGING FROM CRIMINAL
JUSTICE TO SOCIOLOGY,
PSYCHOLOGY, ECONOMICS, WE HAVE
AN ART MUSIC DEPARTMENT AS WELL.
>> A HISTORY PROFESSOR WE
KNOW VERY WELL, BLANCHE COOK.
EVERYBODY KNOWS BLANCHE.
YOU’RE VERY INTERESTED IN
REENTRY.
YOUR PREDECESSOR WROTE A BOOK
THAT THEY ALL COME BACK.
IT’S A GREAT PROBLEM.
I’VE HAD SEVERAL GUESTS ON THE
JUSTICE PROGRAM FROM COLUMBIA
WITH -- HE CITED A STUDY IN
BOSTON WITH ABOUT 125 PEOPLE WHO
CAME OUT OF PRISON AND HOW MANY
WENT BACK ALL BECAUSE OF THE
LACK OF ADEQUATE SUPPORT FROM
THE COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, 
JOB PROSPECTS. IT'S ALSO
UNFORTUNATELY SO CONNECTED 
TO POVERTY.
>> IT ALL GOES BACK TO
POVERTY AND OPPORTUNITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE THERE’S
A LOT OF RESEARCH -- WE KNOW
WHAT IT TAKES FOR SOMEONE TO BE
SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY LEAVE OUR
CUSTODY AND CARE OF THE PRISON
SYSTEM.
EDUCATION, ACCESS TO JOBS AND
CONNECTION TO FAMILY AND
COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE THAT IS
HAPPENING AT JOHN JAY, OUR
PRISON TO COLLEGE PIPELINE.
MANY STUDENTS CURRENTLY
INCARCERATED BUT THEY ARE OUR
STUDENTS. WE HAVE A
WONDERFUL PROGRAM AT OTISVILLE
PRISON AND I HAVE BEEN THERE.
WE HAVE SOME GRADUATE WHO CAME
TO US THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.
GOING TO OTISVILLE AND MEETING
THOSE STUDENTS AND HEARING THEIR
STORIES AND HEARING THEM TALK
ABOUT IF THEY HAD THE
ANTHROPOLOGY CLASS THEY WERE
TAKING AND UNDERSTOOD HOW LIFE
CIRCUMSTANCES LED THEM TO BE
THERE THAT WOULD NOT BE THERE,
IT IS POWERFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE
GETTING AN EDUCATION BECAUSE
THEY WANT IT.
THEIR INSPIRATIONAL TO OUR
STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
SEEING ONE OF OUR STUDENTS,
BEING ABLE TO AWARD HIM HIS
DEGREE AND TO SEE WHAT HE’S
DOING -- IN TERMS OF REENTRY ONE
OF THE THINGS WE DID WHEN I WAS
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GIVING
PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE I WOULD
ARGUE MANY PEOPLE DON’T HAVE A
FIRST CHANCE.
IF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CAN
HIRE PEOPLE FORMERLY
INCARCERATED ANYBODY CAN FIGURE
OUT HOW TO DO IT.
WE DO NOT CHANGE OUR STANDARDS.
THESE ARE WONDERFUL TALENTED
PEOPLE WE AS A SOCIETY ARE
MISSING OUT ON YOU DON’T TAP
THAT TALENT.
>> YOU HAVE A WHOLE INITIATIVE.
THE PRISONER REENTRY INSTITUTE.
I READ THERE IS NOW MONEY FOR
YOU TO ADVISE IN OTHER
FACILITIES.
>> ANN JACOB WHO RUNS THE
PRISONER REENTRY INSTITUTE HAS
BEEN CREATIVE IN RAISING MONEY.
WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN ADDITION 
TO THE OTISVILLE PROGRAM,
WE CONNECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE
LEFT INCARCERATION 
WITH SERVICES SO THEY CAN
GO BACK TO COLLEGE.
ANYBODY WHO HAS LEFT OUR
PROGRAM AT OTISVILLE,
THEY ARE PART OF OUR PROGRAM.
THEY MAY GO TO HOSTOS OR 
ONE OF THE OTHER CUNY SCHOOLS,
EVENTUALLY COME TO JOHN JAY OR
ONE OF THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS
BUT IT IS A PROGRAM TO MAKE
SURE THEY’RE CONNECTED IN THE
COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT BEING IN
JOHN JAY THAT IS EXCITING, OUR
AFRICANA STUDIES DEPARTMENT
HAS PARTNERED WITH THE
PRISON REENTRY INSTITUTE FOR A
PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT OF
INCARCERATION WERE THEY WILL
EARN COLLEGE CREDITS.
>> YOU ALSO HAVE REVISED
LANGUAGE WHICH I THINK IS
IMPORTANT.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE
TERMS WE SHOULD NOT USE.
>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE
OP-ED PIECE -- WHEN I WAS IN MY
PRIOR JOB I WROTE -- I WAS IN
THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE OFFICE
OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS TO CHANGE
THE LANGUAGE WE USE.
SOMEONE ON MY TEAM WE CREATED A
SECOND CHANCE FELLOWSHIP.
SOMEBODY WHO HAVE BEEN FORMERLY
INCARCERATED, DARRELL ATKINSON,
A PHENOMENAL LEADER IN THE
FORMERLY INCARCERATED MOVEMENT
HE SAID WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF
THE LANGUAGE.
I WROTE A PIECE FOR THE OFFICE
THAT SAID WE WOULD NO LONGER USE
WORDS LIKE FELON.
WE NEED USE WORDS THAT THINK OF
PEOPLE AS HUMAN BEINGS.
WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WERE
FORMERLY INCARCERATED.
YOU SEE THE HUMANITY AND
RECOGNIZING THEY ARE A PERSON
AND NOT AN OBJECTIVE WORD.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO
ARE INCARCERATED AT OTISVILLE
PRISON WHO ARE IN OUR PROGRAM,
I CALL THEM STUDENTS.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT HOW
YOU PERCEIVE PEOPLE AND
THE NARRATIVE THAT YOU USE.
>> THEY NEED RESPECT, NO MATTER
WHO THEY ARE.
>> THEY ARE STILL PEOPLE.
>> I DID A LOT OF WORK AT
BEDFORD HILLS CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY AND EVERY TIME I WALKED
IN I WAS FELT THERE BY THE GRACE
OF GOD GOES I BECAUSE SO 
MANY PEOPLE IT'S
JUST ONE THING.
OTHERS IT'S JUST INEVITABLE
ALMOST FROM THE POVERTY WE FACE.
>> THAT IS WHAT’S NICE ABOUT
THE NONPARTISAN MOVEMENT I CALL
IT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY LOOKING
AT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND
UNDERSTANDING IN A MORE HOLISTIC
WAY WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON
WHAT KIND OF EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH CARE
OPPORTUNITIES NOT JUST PRIMARY
HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE,
ACCESS TO JOBS PEOPLE HAVE SO WE
KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM IN JOHN JAY
THAT WAS STARTED THROUGH OUR
INSTITUTE FOR PROSECUTION WHERE
PROSECUTORS FROM MANHATTAN
D.A.'S OFFICE ARE TAKING A CLASS
WITH THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED AT
QUEENSBORO PRISON.
TO HEAR THE STORIES AND SEE HOW
IT CHANGES THE PERSPECTIVE OF
THE PROSECUTORS TO REALIZE THIS
IS WHY THESE PEOPLE WOUND UP IN
THIS SITUATION.
ONE MAN, HE’D BEEN RELEASED,
COULD NOT FIND A JOB, WORK HARD
TO TRY TO FIND A JOB BUT NO ONE
WOULD HIRE HIM. HE HAD A
FAMILY TAKE CARE OF.
PEOPLE MAKE CHOICES BECAUSE OF
CIRCUMSTANCES.
THAT’S WHY I SAY SOME PEOPLE DID
NOT HAVE THE FIRST CHANCE.
>> WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS DO
YOU HAVE? THERE ARE SOME OTHERS
THAT YOU LIKE VERY MUCH.
YOU CALLED IT ACTUALLY
THE U.N. OF JUSTICE. SO DO YOU
THE GET LECTURES FOR -- I KNOW
PRESIDENT TRAVIS, HE WROTE ABOUT
GERMAN PRISONS AND WHAT GOES ON.
HOW DO WE CHANGE WHAT GOES ON
HERE?
>> THAT IS A TRIP HE TOOK WITH 
THE VERA INSTITUTE.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS
IMPORTANT AND I LIKE TO TELL THE
STORY, BEFORE I GOT THE JOB AT
JOHN JAY I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE NATIONAL NARRATIVE THAT WAS
BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE IN 2017
AND I SAID WE NEED TO HAVE A
CONVENING SO WE KEEP PEOPLE
ENGAGED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT
BEING SMART ON CRIME ACROSS THE
POLITICAL SPECTRUM SO I STARTED
PLANNING THIS BEFORE I HAD A
JOB.
THANKFULLY I GOT THE JOB AT JOHN
JAY SO HAVE AN ANNUAL SMART ON
CRIME INNOVATIONS CONVENING.
WE BRING PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE
POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE.
PEOPLE DOING ALL KINDS OF WORK
TO DEAL WITH TOUGH ISSUES IN OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD.
WE DEALT WITH DIFFICULT ISSUES
OF RACE, THE DIFFICULT ISSUE SO
MANY ARE FOCUSED ON THE REFORMS
OF NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.
WHAT ARE THE PEOPLE WHO
COMMITTED VIOLENCE?
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM AS WELL.
WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE
SUCCESSFUL.
>> I’M INTERESTED IN THE
VIOLENT OFFENDERS BECAUSE I HAVE
A FRIEND IN PRISON FOR 35 YEARS
THAT SHOULD NOT BE THERE.
SHE GETS TURNED DOWN AT PAROLE.
>> THE DATA SHOWS PEOPLE AGE
OUT OF THE BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSED
THEM TO BE --
>> WHAT IS THE POINT OF
KEEPING PEOPLE INCARCERATED
FOR SO LONG?
>> THAT IS PART OF THE
CONVERSATION, WHAT IS OUR GOAL.
WHEN YOU'RE IN LAW SCHOOL,
YOU LEARN ABOUT THE
THEORIES OF INCARCERATION AND
WHY WE HAVE IT.
WE'VE BECOME A SYSTEM FOCUSED
ON RETRIBUTION.
>> IS THAT WHAT YOU LEARNED
IN LAW SCHOOL?
>> THERE’S THE THEORY OF
RETRIBUTION, REHABILITATION, I
ALWAYS FORGET THE THIRD "R".
THE POINT OF IT IS WE NEED TO
THINK ABOUT WHAT IS OUR GOAL AND
OUR GOAL IF YOU’RE HOLDING
PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR DOING
SOMETHING WRONG WHY IS PRISON
THE DEFAULT?
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO HOLD
PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE WITHOUT
PUTTING THEM IN PRISON AND THERE
IS THE WHOLE FIELD OF STUDY
ABOUT YOUNG ADULTS WHICH I
LEARNED BY COMING TO CONVENING’S
AT JOHN JAY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE.
WE KNOW YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP
DIFFERENTLY AND THE LAST THING
THAT DEVELOPS IS IMPULSE
CONTROL.
THEY CAN BE VERY SMART AND YOU 
KNOW THE STORY, SOME OF THE 
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
SAY TO PEOPLE,
ASK YOUR TEENAGER WHY THEY
DID SOMETHING AND THEY SAY
THEY DON’T KNOW, THEY ARE
TELLING THE TRUTH, THE IMPULSE
CONTROL DEVELOPS LATER.
THE ANSWER ISN'T PUTTING THEM 
IN PRISON BECAUSE THE 
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CONTINUES
TO IMPEAD THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
INSTEAD, THINK ABOUT HOLDING
THEM RESPONSIBLE IN A WAY THAT
SUPPORTS THEM BEING ON THE RIGHT
TRACK AND SUPPORTS THEM BEING
SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.
THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE
THINKING ABOUT IN A MORE
HOLISTIC WAY ACROSS COMMUNITIES
ABOUT HOW WE HOLD PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SUCCEED
WHICH IS BETTER FOR ALL OF US
AND CREATES SAFER COMMUNITIES.
>> YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME
WITH YOUTH JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
>> PART OF THE OFFICE OF
JUSTICE PROGRAM, THE OFFICE OF
JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY
PREVENTION WAS PART OF THAT.
WE FOCUSED ON HELPING
COMMUNITIES BUILD PARTNERSHIPS
SO YOU HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES,
WORKING TOGETHER.
WE KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM ON THE FRONT END.
THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND
DELINQUENCY PREVENTION USED
TO SAY THAT YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
SHOULD BE RARE, FAIR AND 
BENEFICIAL AND SO IF YOU DO 
HAVE THEM IN YOUR CUSTODY
AND CARE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING
TO HELP THEM BE BETTER WHEN
THEY COME OUT, NOT WORSE?
>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING IF
YOU HAVE A PARENT WHO IS IN
PRISON?
WE DID A LOT OF WORK WITH 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
A LOT OF THESE WOMEN ARE IN
PRISON BECAUSE OF REACTIONS.
IT IS THE SAME THING I ASSUME.
YOU NEED THE SUPPORT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE
LEARNED THROUGH RESEARCH IS
THAT CONNECTION TO FAMILY IS
IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR THE CHILD
TO BREAK THE CYCLE BUT ALSO FOR
THE SUCCESS OF THE PERSON WHO IS
INCARCERATED.
THAT IS WHY- WE FUNDED A LOT OF
PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS.
I KNOW THESE PROGRAMS WE HAVE
NOW WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE
INCARCERATED CAN GET WORK ON
COLLEGE DEGREES, THE BENEFIT IS
WHEN THEY ARE TALKING WITH THEIR
CHILDREN THEY SEE THEIR PARENTS
GETTING AN EDUCATION.
THE PARENTS ARE ENGAGED 
TELLING THEIR CHILDREN, ARE YOU
STUDYING, ARE YOU IN SCHOOL.
IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.
THAT CONNECTION AND ONE OF THE
THINGS I HAD TO LEARN AND HAD TO
HEAR FROM CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS
ARE INCARCERATED -- I USED TO
THINK IF THE PARENTS
INCARCERATED WHAT KIND OF
INFLUENCE IS THAT ON A CHILD.
A CHILD NEEDS THEIR MOM AND DAD
REGARDLESS OF DECISIONS THE
PARENT MADE THEY'RE STILL THEIR
MOM AND DAD. THAT RELATIONSHIP
IS IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE CHILD AND WE NEED TO KEEP
THAT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP AND
FIND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO
WORK TOGETHER.
OSBORNE ASSOCIATES DOES GREAT
WORK WITH THAT IN KEEPING 
CHILDREN AND PEOPLE INCARCERATED
CONNECTED TO THEIR FAMILIES.
>> ALL KINDS OF LITTLE PROGRAMS.
SOME CAME ACROSS MY COMPUTER
TODAY ABOUT FREE BUSES TO
PRISON.
A LOT OF THESE PRISONS ARE FAR
AWAY.
A LOT OF THE FAMILIES SO THEY
HAVE TO GET THE BUSES.
THEY USED TO GET ON THE BUSES
AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE.
YOU WOULD COME DOWN -- MY
HUSBAND WROTE A COLUMN ABOUT IT.
ALL THE SPLENDOR OF LINCOLN
CENTER AND YOU SEE THESE LINES
OF WOMEN LINED UP WITH BABIES TO
GET ON THE BUS TO GO TRAVEL.
>> THE CHALLENGE IS HARDER WITH
WOMEN IN PRISON WHO ARE THE
MOTHERS BECAUSE THERE
AREN'T AS MANY OF THEM
MOST PRISON SYSTEMS TRY TO
LOCATE PEOPLE CLOSER TO THEIR
FAMILIES SO THEY CAN MAINTAIN
THEIR RELATIONSHIP BUT FOR WOMEN
THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY
FACILITIES.
SO THEY ARE FURTHER AWAY FROM
THEIR KIDS AND HOW DO YOU KEEP
THEM CONNECTED?
>> A LOT OF THEM
UNFORTUNATELY ARE SINGLE WOMEN
MOTHERS. AND THERE ISN'T 
SOMEBODY BRINGING THEM UP. 
THE VISITING ISN'T THE SAME IS
IT?
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE IS
GOING TO BE?
I CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL A LITTLE
RESENTMENT WITH CONSERVATIVES
SUPPORTING JUSTICE REFORM-
I KNOW IT IS TERRIBLE
BECAUSE THEIR BOTTOM LINE IS THE
MONEY THAT IS BEING SPENT.
IS THAT CHANGING?
>> MY VIEW IS WHATEVER
BRINGS PEOPLE TO THE TABLE TO 
WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM,
I'M ALL FOR IT. AND PEOPLE COME 
TO THE TABLE FOR LOTS OF 
DIFFERENT REASONS BUT
ONCE THEY ARE THERE I THINK THEY
SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK
NO MATTER WHAT IT WAS THAT 
BROUGHT THEM THERE.
WHETHER IT WAS THE FISCAL
ISSUES, THE MORAL ISSUE, JUST A
FAIRNESS ISSUE.
TO HAVE PEOPLE IN CONVERSATION
THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF WHERE WE
ARE NOW.
I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE
HAVING CONVERSATION AND DIALOGUE
THAT ARE NONTRADITIONAL PARTNERS
IN THIS WORK.
WHEN I WALK THE HALLS AT JOHN
JAY AND I SEE THE STUDENTS
IN CLASS TOGETHER, GOING INTO
LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SOCIAL
ADVOCACY, THEY ARE LEARNING
TOGETHER AND I’M HOPEFUL
BECAUSE THAT IS THE GENERATION
APPROACHING THIS WORK WITH A
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND IT IS
NOT AN US VERSUS THEM.
YOU TALKED ABOUT JOHN JAY BEING
THE UNITED NATIONS FOR NEW YORK.
THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE WE COULD
TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO HAVE THOSE
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS.
I WAS TALKING WITH OUR PROVOST
THAT WHAT IS HARD IS TO GET
PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR VOICE WHEN
SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT TO SAY OR
THEY FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS NOT
FAIR TO THEM.
WE ARE GIVING THEM THE TOOLS AND
THE VOICE TO SPEAK UP AND SAY WE
NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION
ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS HOW I’M EXPERIENCING
THIS AND THAT’S WHY I’M MORE
CONFIDENT ABOUT WHAT KIND OF
ROLE WE WILL HAVE BECAUSE I
THINK THIS NEXT GENERATION WILL
BE BETTER AT THAN OURS IN HAVING
THOSE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
>> THE PROFESSION IS NOT
ONLY -- IT NOT ONLY TUGS ON
YOUR CONSCIENCE AND YOUR SOUL 
BUT IT IS UNFORTUNATELY AN 
EVERLASTING THING THAT WE HAVE
TO DEAL WITH FOR JOBS AND FOR
FUTURE. 
>> YOU MEAN IF PEOPLE HAVE
SOMETHING CRIMINAL JUSTICE
RELATED ON THE RECORD.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I
UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
I THINK -- I AM SOMEBODY WHO’S
GOING TO SEE THE WHAT IF'S AND
THE POSSIBILITIES AND NOT GET
DISCOURAGED AND I THINK WE SEE A
NEW MOVEMENT NOW WHERE PEOPLE
ARE SAYING THAT PUTTING THAT ON
YOUR APPLICATION IS NOT RELEVANT
TO YOUR ABILITY TO DO THE JOB.
WE MADE GREAT PROGRESS WITH
BEYOND THE BOX.
I’M HOPEFUL THERE ARE SO
MANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK OF 
SEEING THE IMPORTANCE OF 
EDUCATING PEOPLE WHO HAVE 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT.
AND THEN EMPLOYERS THAT
WE HONORED WHEN I WAS IN THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHAMPIONS OF
CHANGE THEY SAY THEIR BEST
EMPLOYEES ARE THOSE WHO’VE HAD A
PRIOR CRIMINAL HISTORY AND WERE
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
AND THEY APPRECIATED THAT
OPPORTUNITY AND SOME OF THE
BEST EMPLOYEES THEY'VE
EVER HAD THAT EVER HAVE.
>> WE SEE IT IN DRUG TREATMENT
AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
IT'S THAT, HAVING THAT
EXPERIENCE. I WAS LOOKING
THROUGH THE CATALOGUE AND
I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS
GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE AND SHE
IS A PSYCH MAJOR AND I SAID
YOU’VE GOT TO LOOK AT JOHN JAY.
BECAUSE THE GRADUATE PROGRAM-
I SAID YOU COULD DO FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGY, YOU GO TO LAW SCHOOL
-- CAN YOU DO IT AT THE SAME
TIME?
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF JOINT
DEGREE PROGRAMS. I’M NOT
WELL VERSED IN WHAT THEY
ARE BUT WE DO HAVE A WONDERFUL
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM.
A WONDERFUL PHD IN PSYCHOLOGY
PROGRAM.
WHAT’S INTERESTING IS WATCHING
YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER WE HAVE THE
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES IN
PLACE THEY GO CREATE THEM SO SHE
CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> I ALSO MET A CITY
COUNCILPERSON, A CANDIDATE
FOR MAYOR OF PHOENIX.
SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY
POLICE RELATIONSHIP AND I SAID
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT JOHN JAY.
YOU CONSULT WITH OTHER
COMMUNITIES.
>> WE DO. THERE'S THIS
NICE ALIGNMENT OF MY PRIOR
JOB AND THIS CURRENT JOB.
ONE OF THE THINGS JOHN JAY --
WHEN JEREMY WAS THE PRESIDENT
OF JOHN JAY,
HE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION
THIS NEED TO BUILD TRUST BETWEEN
LAW ENFORCEMENT IN COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR SO I STOPPED TALKING TO
HIM AND PUT TOGETHER A REQUEST
FOR PROPOSAL AND WE ENDED UP
FUNDING THE BUILDING COMMUNITY
TRUST INITIATIVE. WE KNEW
THERE WAS GOOD RESEARCH ON
PROCEDURAL JUSTICE, RACIAL
RECONCILIATION AND IMPLICIT
BIAS.
THE WINNING PROPOSAL HAPPEN TO
BE BASED AT JOHN JAY. SO I
GOT TO SEE THE START OF THAT.
IN MARCH WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
THE CULMINATION OF THAT WORK OF
BUILDING TRUST RELATIONSHIP,
USING THOSE PILLARS THAT WE KNOW
FROM RESEARCH WORKS.
WHAT WE’VE NEVER DONE WAS PULLED
THEM ALTOGETHER.
THE NATIONAL NETWORK FOR
BUILDING SAFE COMMUNITIES IN THE
FORM OF DAVID KENNEDY IS THE
PLACE TO COME IF YOU WANT TO
HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO
DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES.
>> DO YOU WORK WITH THE
POLICE ACADEMY?
>> YOU MEAN THE NYPD POLICE
ACADEMY?
IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS, NOT
THE ACADEMY DIRECTLY.
I THINK WE HAVE MORE AT JOHN 
JAY ALUMS IN THE NYPD THAN 
ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE 
COUNTRY.
INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONER
HIMSELF, TWO JOHN JAY DEGREES.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS.
A LOT OF NYPD OFFICERS COME TO
JOHN JAY BEFORE THEY QUALIFY 
TO ENTER THE NYPD.
>> I SEE THEM WALKING WEST
TO EAST IN THEIR GRAY UNIFORMS.
>> THAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM WITH THEM AS
WELL.
WE HAVE THE APPLE CORPS, FOR
TWO YEARS THEY'RE IN THIS
INTENSIVE PROGRAM THAT
IS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THEM TO
NYPD AND GET THEM INTO THE CADET
CORPS.
WE ALSO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH
NYPD WHERE WE TAKE FUTURE
LEADERS AND WE JUST GRADUATED
OUR FIRST MASTERS CLASS WHERE
THEY GET A MASTERS OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE AND ONE OF THE GRADUATES
GOT A PROMOTION RIGHT AFTER
GRADUATION.
A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH NYPD.
>> WE'RE NOW FINISHED WITH OUR
HALF HOUR.
I WANTED TO SAY WE CAN
SEE WHY THE WEBSITE AND THE
INSTITUTION ARE SO ENTICING.
PEOPLE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT IT
AND SUPPORT IT BUT ALSO
UNDERSTAND FOR KIDS AND STUDENTS
WHAT A FUTURE THEY WOULD GET.
I THINK THEY ARE LUCKY TO HAVE
YOU WITH YOUR PASSION AND
COMMITMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION.
>> THANK YOU.
♪ [THEME MUSIC] ♪
