News & Events
Senator Edward M. Kennedy Keynotes ComALERT Conference at City Tech
Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy at City Tech
U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) delivered a stirring keynote address at a Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together (ComALERT) conference on prisoner reentry, "A New Deal for Justice: Civic Reinvestment," recently hosted by New York City College of Technology (City Tech). Nearly 1,000 law enforcement professionals, educators, community leaders and other guests heard Kennedy speak.
Co-sponsored by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office (home to the ComALERT Program), The Open Society Institute and City Tech's School of Professional Studies, the daylong conference explored Brooklyn's prisoner reentry policies, procedures and creative programs in the areas of employment, health care and housing for people with criminal records. It also looked at new approaches to reinvesting in the economic and civic life of those Brooklyn neighborhoods that have experienced high rates of incarcerated individuals. The conference provided a comprehensive and timely snapshot of what is now working in the reentry field and served to jumpstart action plans for further improvements.
Coordinating the event, the first conference on the topic of its magnitude in the country, were Kevin Costin of the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office ComALERT Program, City Tech Dean of Professional Studies Victor Ayala, and City Tech Human Services Professor Justine Pawlukewicz.
At present, there are more than 65,000 men and
women in New York State prisons and another 14,000-plus in New York
City jails, most of whom will eventually be released. But research
shows that more than 40 percent of all parolees returning to Brooklyn
every year are back in prison within three years. This recidivist
cycle is not unique to Brooklyn and New York City, but is a growing
problem that has devastating effects on individuals, families and
communities nationwide. In his remarks, Senator Kennedy emphasized
the need to do far more at all levels of society to effectively
address and break this destructive cycle. Kennedy also praised the
efforts of Brooklyn's D.A., Charles J. Hynes,
and others locally, suggesting they formed a model that other communities
might want to emulate.
In addition to Senator Kennedy, other speakers included Brooklyn
District Attorney Hynes and Merle Evers-Williams, chair emeritus
of the board of directors of the National NAACP. City Tech President
Fred W. Beaufait brought greetings on behalf of the College.
Baroness Vivien Stern, senior research fellow at the International Centre for Prison Studies at Kings College London and honorary secretary general of Penal Reform International, was guest speaker at a private luncheon for conference panelists (which included faculty members from City Tech's Departments of Human Services and Legal Assistant Studies), presenters and other guests in the College's Janet Lefler Dining Room. Stern has conducted extensive research on prison life in 32 countries worldwide.
Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
