Addressing the Public Health Challenges of New York’s 2019 Bail Reform Legislation

From Punishment to Public Health (P2PH) is working with partners in New York City to deliver a one-day conference event designed to draw attention to the public health impacts of New York State’s bail reform laws that go into effect on January 1, 2020. Stakeholders from across the criminal justice and health care spectrum have come to recognize every arrest as a potential health emergency, as most individuals who enter jails arrive with complex behavioral and physical health needs. Moreover, jail-based health providers sometimes represent the first access to care in months or even years for individuals who lack health insurance or strong connections to community-based providers. Stakeholders drawn from a range of disciplines, sectors, and geography will grapple with pressing questions such as:

• How will the law affect pre-trial detention for individuals arrested on various criminal charges, particularly those with underlying health issues?
• What health and public health interventions will still be available to clients processing through the system? Which interventions are likely to have less impact with fewer jail entries?
• How do we ensure that individuals facing a less burdensome pre-trial process continue to receive robust health and social service engagements?
• What other opportunities exist to enhance public health and wellness goals while seeing a reduction in the role of criminal justice actors.

Registration and further event details can be found here.