On November 21, 2024, the W. Haywood Burns Chair lecture series convened experts and advocates to address lengthy prison sentences and how to create pathways for second chances through judicial, legislative, and legal interventions. The event focused on innovative strategies to rectify outdated, unjust sentencing policies, showcasing groundbreaking legislation in New York that positions the state as a potential leader in second-chance sentencing reform.
The distinguished panel included:
Hon. Frederic Block, Senior Federal Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, who offered a judicial perspective on sentencing reform
Thomas Gant, Advocacy & Community Organizer at the Center for Community Alternatives, Inc., who shared insights on grassroots advocacy and community impact
Mujahideen Muhammad, Founder of The Pillars of Promise, an organization highlighting the lived experiences of people impacted by harsh sentencing policies
David Singleton, Associate Professor at the University of District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, who explored legislative and academic approaches to reform
Jennifer Soble, Executive Director of the Illinois Prison Project, who provided a national perspective on sentencing reform efforts
Steve Zeidman, Professor and Co-Director of the CUNY Law Defenders Clinic and Second Look Project NY, who emphasized the need for sustained legal interventions to transform justice
The conversation underscored the urgent need for collaboration across sectors to ensure justice and equity in sentencing policies. By highlighting New York’s forward-thinking initiatives, the event served as a call to action for stakeholders nationwide to champion reforms that offer meaningful second chances to individuals and communities affected by the criminal justice system.