Russell Sage College will host a free workshop on community-based justice on January 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on its Albany campus. Attendees will learn more about community-based justice and how alternatives to incarceration can be successful. 

This workshop is ideal for anyone who works in the criminal justice and community-based corrections field or is a student in the field. However, the general public is also invited to attend. The workshop is free but online registration is required.

The workshop follows the launch of the new M.S. in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections program at Russell Sage in fall 2023. This online degree program is the first of its kind in the nation.

The January 27 workshop will cover a variety of topics, from mental health and substance abuse to re-entry after incarceration and bystander intervention training.

Workshop Schedule

9-9:15 a.m. Welcome  

9:15-10:15 a.m. Alternatives to Incarceration                     

  • Stephen Signore, Schenectady County Public Defender
  • David Soares, Albany County District Attorney
  • David Graham, Office of the Albany County District Attorney, Community Justice Outreach Center
  • Robert Ward, Co-Project Manager, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Trinity Alliance

10:15-11 a.m. Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment                  

  • Stephen J. Giordano, Ph.D., Commissioner of Albany County Department of Mental Health
  • David Soares, Albany County District Attorney

11:15 a.m.-Noon Victim and Survivor Impact          

  • Amy LaPlante, Resource Coordinator, Domestic Violence Court (Albany City Criminal Court); Program Director, Justice for Families Grant (Office on Violence Against Women)
  • JoLynn Backes, Community Education Coordinator, Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center

1:15-2 p.m. Re-Entry after Incarceration

  • Heidi Renaud, Parole Re-Entry Coordinator, Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office
  • Erica Anderson, Re-Entry Coordinator, Albany County Department of Mental Health
  • Stephanie Barrett, Employment and Training Specialist, Youth and Workforce Services, City of Albany

2-2:45 p.m. Bystander Intervention Training in Schools

  • JoLynn Backes, Community Education Coordinator, Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center
  • Amanda Bastiani, Title IX Coordinator and EEO Specialist, Russell Sage College (One Love, MVP)

2:45-3 p.m. Closing

Panels on Community-Based Justice

The panels for this event will focus on how justice is served in our communities, including alternatives to incarceration, services for justice-involved youth and adults, victim and survivor impact, and the return of formerly incarcerated individuals to our communities. Community organizations and agencies will be available to provide information on their programs and answer questions.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Community-based Justice Workshop 

When: Saturday, January 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Russell Sage College’s Albany Campus, 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York, Kahl Campus Center, Room 224

Who: Ideal for anyone who works in or studies the criminal justice and community-based corrections field. Those interested from the general public are also welcome to attend.

Admission: The workshop is free but online registration is required

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