Presentation Catalog
Truth in Rehabilitation
Outlines the rehabilitation courses offered within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Explores the motivations (or lack of) for rehabilitation, and efficacy of these courses. Exposes the use of falsified participation data and how it misleads society.
Juvenile Incarceration
Explores the history of juvenile sentencing and life without parole. Reviews clinical advancements in adolescent brain development and criminal culpability. Outlines the negative effects of incarceration on juvenile offenders. Overviews recidivism intervention strategies.
The Challenges of Carceral Litigation
Reviews the history of litigation and reform. Enumerates the many challenges of ProSe litigation. Discusses the aid of “Jailhouse Lawyers,” and the long struggle to prove innocence.
Inside Attica Prison
Journey through 19 years of experience inside Attica prison. Reviews the history of the 1971 uprising and how that history, 50 years later, manifests in the operations of the prison, staff dispositions, and prisoner culture. Exposes systemic abuses
New York State Parole Board
Reviews the history and mission of the Parole Board and the political process of commissioner appointments. Clarifies the misunderstanding between Determinant and Indeterminate sentences, and demonstrates how this is reported in the news. Discusses Parole Board preparation offered by NYSDOCCS, incarcerated peers, and organizations. Provides a case study of current Parole Board practices. Explores the need for reform and reform movements.
Surviving The Upside-Down Kingdom
Details the Ills of Incarceration: deindividuation, conformity, hierarchy, stress and coping, substance use and sobriety, the search for Self (individuation), violence, and other carceral phenomena. Proposes why surviving the Upside-down Kingdom is important from a public safety point of view.
The Principles of Incarceration
Describes carceral jurisprudence: deterrence, incapacitation, retribution, rehabilitation. Explores the question, Do they work? Outlines the conditions of possibility and current trends in corrections.
Faith in Prison
Reviews the history of religion in corrections. Describes the various faith-based services provided and the use of incarcerated individuals as clergy. The benefits of spiritual practice as rehabilitation. Explores the questions: Is there a theology unique to prison? Are prisons a recruiting ground for religious extremists? Foreshadows the future involvement of faith-based communities in prison reform.
Higher Education
Reviews the evolution and politicization of higher education. Examines various programs. Outlines the benefits of higher education and the reduction of recidivism. Explores the challenges of university enrollment once released and how the formerly incarcerated can be an asset to universities.
Prison Abolition and Reform
Delves into the merits and drawbacks of prison reform and abolition within the criminal justice system. Through a critical analysis, the focus will be on exploring these approaches in terms of reducing recidivism, enhancing societal well-being, and fostering a more equitable legal system.
Incarcerated Rights and Advocacy
Investigate the legal rights of the incarcerated, advocacy efforts by organizations, and significant court cases that have influenced prison policies and conditions. Discuss ongoing challenges in ensuring rights are respected.
Comparing Correctional Models
Examines the different models of corrections between states (eg. California vs NY) and countries (eg. the US vs the Netherlands). Discusses the shifting approaches in correctional models in the US. Explores prison abolition.
Reentry
Review of the syllabus of the NYSDOCCS reentry course and its efficacy. Describes reentry fears and realities, and service availability upon release. Explores recidivism: statistical data, how it can be misleading, the problematic push to reincarcerate, and reform initiatives.
Doing Time
Discusses how incarcerated individuals use their time, from recreational and academic activities to hobbies. . . from the mundane to truly creative. Demonstrates how one spends their time in prison is an indicator of their success (or lack of) upon release.
Incarcerated Individuals as Educators
Reviews the use of incarcerated individuals as peer educators, past to present. Details the various training courses available through NYSDOCCS and volunteer programs. The challenges and rewards of peer-educating. Explores how education theory is applied within correctional settings. Provides examples of innovative and creative andragogical practices.
Mental Health
Outlines NYSDOCCS Office of Mental Health services, eg. medication, programming, and disciplinary action. Reviews case studies and offers specific examples—the challenges of obtaining proper care while incarcerated and upon release.
Medical Care
Describes the spectrum of medical care services across age groups as well as specific health conditions, eg. diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS. Outlines NYSDOCCS protocol for care and challenges.
COVID Conditions in New York State Correctional Facilities
Examines the NYSDOCCS implementation of COVID protocols. The effects of COVID on the incarcerated population, their families, and rehabilitation programs. Describes why current protocols are failing.
NYS Executive Clemency
The presentation covers a brief history of executive clemency nationwide, then specifically in New York. Examines the current clemency process, outlines the problems, and various advocacy work to make clemency in NYS frequent, transparent, and inclusive.
Impact of Solitary Confinement
Delve into the psychological and physical effects of solitary confinement, discussing the debate surrounding its use, long-term consequences, and alternatives that promote rehabilitation.
Prison Literature and Memoirs
Review books and memoirs written by formerly incarcerated individuals about their experiences behind bars. Analyze the impact of these literary works on public perception and policy reform.