INSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
About Inside Criminal Justice
Inside Criminal Justice, a joint initiative of The Manhattan D.A. Academy, the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Center for Justice at Columbia University, is a semester-long seminar comprised of individuals incarcerated at Queensboro Correctional Facility Edgecombe Correctional Facility and prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
The course is intended to encourage in-depth and respectful conversation about the criminal justice system, culminating in jointly-authored policy proposals. The objective is to think together about a justice system that emphasizes public safety while supporting healthy development from birth to old age and makes engaged citizenship possible for everyone.
“As a result of being involved in this program and all the program’s support, I came to the realization that it is time for me to give back to my community by sharing my experiences and helping to develop the youth within the communities.”
Timothy Morgan, Inside Criminal Justice Participant
Inside Criminal Justice Replication Materials
Inside Criminal Justice can be implemented by any DA’s Office in partnership with a nearby correctional facility and university. Below, find a replication manual that includes detailed steps on how to build a course, the syllabus and curriculum materials for the original course, and additional educational materials.
Inside Criminal Justice Panel
Dr. Geraldine Downey, Director, Center for Justice; Robert Johnston Niven Professor of Humane Letters in Psychology, Columbia University
Gabriel Hippolyte, Assistant District Attorney, Major Economic Crimes Bureau, New York County District Attorney's Office
Denise Roman, Former Inside Criminal Justice Student
Moderated by Luis Morales, Executive Director, Manhattan D.A. Academy, New York County District Attorney’s Office
What Prosecutors and Incarcerated People Can Learn From Each Other | Jarrell Daniels
A few weeks before his release from prison, Jarrell Daniels enrolled in Inside Criminal Justice. By simply sitting together and talking, incarcerated students and prosecutors uncovered surprising truths about the criminal justice system and ideas for how real change happens. Watch Jarrell’s TedTalk on how this program can be impactful.
