DCJS Dialogue

Belinda Ramos reveals how the upcoming Uptown Transformative Youth Justice Hub is designed to do what systems often miss: meet youth where they are, build real relationships, and create a third space that helps prevent deeper justice involvement. As executive director of Community Connections for Youth, Ramos brings lived experience, research expertise, and years of training and parent advocacy to this conversation. She and Commissioner Rossana Rosado unpack why credible messengers, family engagement, and grassroots organizations are not add-ons but the backbone of real change. You’ll hear how CCFY’s model has helped reduce recidivism, why the idea of a “hub” matters, and what happens when community-rooted partners are given the resources to lead.

In this episode, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple shares insights from his four-decade career in law enforcement, discussing the evolution of the profession, challenges in recruitment, and the impact of technology on policing. Discover how empathy, innovation, and community engagement are shaping the future of law enforcement.

In this episode of DCJS Dialogue, Commissioner Rossana Rosado sits down with our two Empire State Fellows, Yarelis Leonardo and Omar Cyrille, to talk about youth justice, restorative practices, and the power of bringing lived experience into policymaking. Yarelis shares how her work with young people shaped her belief that many system-involved youth need opportunity more than judgment, while Omar explains how restorative justice centers accountability, healing, and human dignity.

In this episode, SNUG Street Outreach Program Statewide Training Director Jerome Brown and 585 SNUG Program Manager Toni Nelson, share their personal experiences and professional efforts in violence interruption and prevention in Rochester and across New York. They discuss the impact of gun violence, community-based solutions, workforce development, and innovative programs to prevent future violence.

In this episode, Commissioner Stanley Richards, the first formerly incarcerated leader of New York City's correctional system, shares a heartfelt journey from hardship to hope, revealing how intentional design, compassion, and community partnerships are reshaping the future of corrections.

From law enforcement to public policy, Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar has spent his career on the front lines of public safety. In this episode, your host DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado, and Sheriff Akshar discuss how his journey has helped shape the way he leads. From integrating community engagement, to implementing data-driven decisions and innovative programs in the Broome County Jail, Sheriff Akshar brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build safer, stronger communities.

Commissioner Rossana Rosado welcomes our Director of Human Trafficking Prevention and counsel, Julina Guo.

In this episode, Commissioner Rosado and Julina discuss the critical issue of human trafficking, its connection to missing persons, and the systemic vulnerabilities faced by BIPOC women and girls. Julina also shares her background as an immigrant and her motivation to advocate for vulnerable populations. They explore the dynamics of trafficking, the importance of community awareness, and the resources available for reporting and supporting victims. 

With crime rates at historic lows, now is the time to have conversations about the importance of community-driven, holistic approaches to public safety. In this episode, DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado and John Jay College of Criminal Justice President Karol V. Mason discuss the future of public safety and policing, and one of Commissioner Rosado’s favorite topics – John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Young people across New York State and the nation are facing significant challenges, creating an opportunity to rethink how systems can better support their success. In our premiere episode, DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado and NYS Youth Justice Institute Executive Director Dr. Giza Lopes dive into this critical turning point and discuss how we can shift the conversation around what young people need to thrive. 

Defining the Path Forward - 2025 Youth Justice Summit: https://youthjusticeinstitute.org/2025-youth-justice-summit/