Public Health’s Role in the Criminal Legal System
Improving Healthcare Access And Outcomes For Justice-Involved Populations
On Thursday, December 12, centers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the Data Collaborative for Justice (DCJ) and From Punishment to Public Health (P2PH) hosted a hybrid public event to discuss the barriers to healthcare access for justice involved individuals and the role of public health as a crime prevention and community reentry strategy.
This event convened policy experts, researchers, practitioners, elected officials, and service providers to discuss the health needs of justice-involved populations. Discussions were informed by a comprehensive fact sheet on the latest demographic characteristics, indicators of mental and physical health, and statistics related to exposure to violence in both New York City jails and New York State prisons.
At a crucial time when federal and local funding offer new opportunities to serve vulnerable populations, this convening aimed to amplify the solutions to improve cross-sector collaboration and client outcomes.
Agenda
Part 1 – Welcome, Keynote, Plenary Presentation, and Panels 1 & 2:
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Registration and Breakfast (provided)
9:00am – 9:20am: Welcome and Table-setting
Jeffrey Coots, Director, From Punishment to Public Health
9:20 am – 10:00 am: Keynote Speaker
Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, MDiv, Executive Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Plenary Presentation
Elizabeth Johnson, Data Scientist, Data Collaborative for Justice
10:30 am – 11:45 am | Panel 1: Healthcare and the Courts
- Kendall Sullivan, Director of Arraignment Court Operations, Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services
- Zakiya Rose, Project Manager for the Criminal Justice Division at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
- Toni Mardirossian, Chief of Pathways to Public Safety, New York County District Attorney’s Office
- Aisha Greene, Bureau Chief, Rehabilitation Programs and Restorative Services, Queens County District Attorney’s Office
11:45 am – 12:00 pm: Coffee & Networking Break
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Panel 2: Healthcare Access in the Jails
- Sumeet Sharma, Director, Correctional Association of New York
- Michael Matteo, KEEP Reentry Coordinator, Correctional Health Services, NYC Health + Hospitals
- Mervin Otero, Program Manager, Osborne Association
- Trevor Cummings, Senior Program Manager of the NYC Health Justice Network
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: Networking Lunch (provided)
Part 2 – Panel 3 & Closing Remarks:
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm | Panel 3: Greater Opportunities for Crime Prevention & Community Health and Wellness
- Pamela Mattel, Executive Director, Coordinated Behavioral Care
- Toya Parker, Director, Brownsville Safety Alliance Situation Tables, Institute for Community Living
- Steven Hernandez, Chief of Staff, St Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction
- Dr. Noe Romo, Director of Pediatric Inpatient Services, Medical Director of Bronx Stand Up to Violence (S.U.V.), Jacobi Medical Center, NYC Health + Hospitals
3:15pm – 3:30pm: Closing Remarks