In this episode we cover several proposals in New York State to reform the criminal justice system, free up billions of dollars in state revenue to spend on other social services, and rehabilitate more people back into society. Many of these proposals are covered in a recent report by The Center for Justice called "https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/news/new-report-unlocking-billions-fiscal-analysis-pending-justice-reforms-new-york-state (Unlocking Billions: A Fiscal Analysis of Pending Justice Reforms in New York State)."

The proposals include reforming the state's parole system, restarting college classes for inmates, reducing the use of solitary confinement, closing excess prisons, and legalization marijuana. All told, the Center for Justice estimates these efforts would unlock for New York $1.5 billion a year or $15 billion over the next decade, to say nothing of the positive economic benefits that would come from successfully rehabilitating former inmates back into society. Some of these efforts have gained recent steam, such as the New York State Senate passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act.

Thanks for joining us.