Hon. Jonathan Lippman speaking at the 158th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLaw Center
The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, spoke at this morning’s 158th CityLaw Breakfast at New York Law School. Judge Lippman was introduced by Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law. Judge Lippman spoke on “The Closing of Rikers Island as a Catalyst for Criminal Justice Reform in New York.” Today’s CityLaw Breakfast was conducted in a “Q and A” format with questions by Greg Berman, director of the Center for Court Innovation.
Judge Lippman discussed being the head of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, which issued the recommendations for closing Rikers Island. Judge Lippman spoke about the research process in trying to find solutions for Rikers Island. Judge Lippman stated that listening to testimony from experts in the field, people who had tried to reform their jail systems, law enforcement officers, ex-inmates and others was a large part of the process. The voices of ex-inmates and families of those inmates, stood out the most as did a visit to Rikers Island, which Judge Lippman called a “transformative experience”. Judge Lippman discussed the problems of the mass incarceration model and the Independent Commission’s work on getting people to agree that Rikers Island should be closed down. Judge Lippman discussed the steps that have already been taken in this process, as well as future steps and how the public can and should get involved to ensure transparency.
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