New York City Harper Lecture: How Big Data Can Help Close Rikers Island

Featuring Jens Ludwig

In a country where almost half a million people are held in jail before their trial—most because they simply cannot afford bail set by a court—Americans are seeking change. Amid a growing national appetite for criminal justice reform, New York is helping lead the way, starting with the ambitious goal of closing Rikers Island, one of the largest jail complexes in the United States. Far-reaching reform efforts like these often get paralyzed by debates between those who are concerned about the growth in detention in the United States since the 1970s, which has disproportionately affected the most socially marginalized communities, and those who worry about preserving public safety. But this turns out to be a false choice. Using insights from data science and behavioral science, Jens Ludwig explains how the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s New York office is working to show that it is possible to reduce the number of people sent to jail while simultaneously reducing crime and disparities in the criminal justice system.

Questions?
Contact alumniassociation@uchicago.edu or 773.702.2150.

Event Details

6:30 p.m. Registration and networking
7:00 p.m. Presentation and discussion
8:00 p.m. Reception

$20/person
$10/Maroon Loyalty Society member or recent graduate (College alumni of the past 10 years and graduate alumni of the past five years)
Free for current academic year graduates and current students
Two complimentary registrations for members of the Chicago, Harper, Odyssey, and Phoenix philanthropic societies

Register Here: https://alumniandfriends.uchicago.edu/harper-lectures/fall2019/new-york-city