The Center for Justice at Columbia University

06/13/2026

Last Sunday we gathered to honor the life of our dear friend and sister Iris Bowen. Iris was a participant in our Oral History Research Project and a cast member of our Degrees of Freedom film as she was a crucial part of bringing college back to Bedford Hills prison in the 90s. We will miss her so much and send love to all who knew and loved her💜 Rest In Power Iris

05/19/2026

Today would have been Kathy's 83rd birthday. We miss her every day. Read our tribute to her this year: https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/news/honoring-kathys-legacy-supporting-womens-education

05/14/2026

NEW REPORT: "Ending Endless Punishment" Calls on New York to Pass the Second Look Act

Co-authored by CfJ's Mujahideen Muhammad who returned to society two years ago after spending 24 and a half years in prison, the report makes the most comprehensive case yet for sentencing review in New York:https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/sites/centerforjustice.columbia.edu/files/content/Ending%20Endless%20Punishment%20Report.pdf

04/24/2026

In case you missed it: Recap of this year’s Beyond the Bars Conference! Rooted In…

April 14, 2026 We are grateful for another incredible year of the Beyond the Bars Conference! If you couldn’t join us, or just want to relive the moments of community throughout the weekend, find a recap of the Conference below. Beyond the Bars 2026 ThemeThis year’s theme was created in respon....

04/16/2026

Powerful support for why we need parole, clemency, and sentencing reform:

I helped build a punitive criminal justice system. Decades later, this system is failing this country’s aging prisoners. We must set them free.

04/07/2026

Selects from a powerful opening night at Beyond the Bars 2026! Huge thanks to St. John the Divine for partnering with us and allowing us into your beautiful space to celebrate, grow, dance, and learn together.

Special thanks also to Chesray Dolpha, Stacey Scott, the Kairos Center, Kiki King, Right/Write To Heal, and all our special guests and speakers for making this an opening night to remember.

Photo credit: Angela James Photography

04/06/2026

New York must continue to invest in higher education in prisons. Our prisoners deserve access to college classes.

04/06/2026

Some selects from our 2026 Collective Leadership Institute Graduation. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate the achievements of the women who participated in the program and to welcome in our new cohort! Special thanks to the Forum at Columbia, Batala New York, Chesray Dolpha, Stacey Scott, and all our speakers and special guests.

Photo credit Angela James Photography

03/17/2026

Some photos from last week of our co-director Cheryl Wilkins speaking on a panel at MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge Research Symposium in Nashville. The symposium shared insights and imagined the future of data-driven justice reform.