Raise The Age

New York is one of just two states in the country that automatically treats 16- and 17-year olds as adults in the criminal justice system. In recent years, advocates and legislators — including the state’s chief judge — have pushed to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18. Now, in the midst of a national scandal over the treatment of adolescents at the Rikers Island Jail, we convene the experts for a discussion of the movement to Raise the Age: How will the influx of adolescents impact the city’s newly reformed juvenile justice programs? How can the system ensure that 16- and 17-year olds get their best shot at success?

A conversation with:
Hon. Edwina Richardson-Mendelson, administrative judge, New York Family Court
Commissioner Ana Bermuez, NYC Department of Probation
Sonja Okun, founder + executive director, exalt
Soffiyah Elijah, executive director, Correctional Association of New York 
Charles Nuñez, community advocate, Youth Represent

Moderated by:
Abigail Kramer, assistant editor, Center for New York City Affairs at The New School

Admission is free but you must RSVP.

Sponsored by the Center for New York City Affairs at Milano School for International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy.