Supervised Release Talks Justice Reform in Washington D.C.

The following post was written by John Megaw, Director of Special Initiatives

On Friday, October 20, 2017 an intrepid group of Supervised Release staff from Bronx Community Solutions traveled to the 2017 International Criminology Conference at the Whittemore House, home of the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. This annual conference is organized by the Policies Studies Organization of the American Public University System. Despite the utility of the internet, there really is no substitute for hearing directly in-person from those that helped design and implement this bail reform program in New York City.

The Supervised Release team in Washington D.C. (from left to right): Tracee Page, Geraldine Mangual, Elizabeth Swan-Taylor, John Megaw, Jamaal Anderson

The format for the presentation titled, Is Supervised Release an Important Part of Justice Reform? Lessons from the New York Unified Court System was a panel discussion which included Ms. Rosa Aguirre, the Associate Director of Case Management Services, Ms. Tracee Page, the Associate Director of Court Operations and Mr. Jamaal Anderson, a Supervised Release Graduate. Each of these presenters spoke passionately about Supervised Release – how it is designed to reduce the use of unnecessary jail and promote voluntary social services to those charged with non-violent felony and misdemeanor offenses and to help defendants avoid future contact with the justice system. As a graduate of the program, Mr. Anderson discussed the importance of the support he was given by his Supervised Release case manager, how his case was ultimately resolved as well as the help he was given to secure new employment.

The presentation was well received and there were excellent questions from the audience as they considered the benefits of decreasing the use of bail at arraignment and creating a format to help defendants address underlying causes of negative behaviors.

2017 International Criminology Conference