On Tuesday May 26, 2020 The University of Chicago Institute of Politics hosted a virtual panel to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 across the country, and how the pandemic might shape our views of incarceration moving forward. Our Leader in Residence, Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia was invited to be a panelist along side Van Jones, CEO of REFORM Alliance; Host of the CNN Podcast “Incarceration Inc.” the panel was moderated by Cheryl Corley, Correspondent, NPR National Desk.
When asked by Corley, how optimistic they are about seeing some of the operational changes that have happened in result of COVID-19 actually become permanent Dr. Tapia responded, “the more that we continue to push these conversations and indict not people, not the people who are the elected officials, but the criminal justice system itself, we can turn this thing around.”
Watch the full panel discussion below.
Read our Leader in Residence Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia’s published op-ed in the Chicago Tribune calling on leaders to show more consideration to those inside jails and prisons during this unprecedented time. Click here to read the full op-ed.
To read more about our Beyond Incarceration initiative click here.