Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
of Criminal Justice
Cover: A survivor holds a
John Jay John Jay College PRESIDENT
photograph of his father, T H E C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K
massacred in 1982.
Nebaj, Quiché, Guatemala,
2000
Magazine of Criminal Justice
Jeremy travis
Middle: Illegal migrants Such recognition is due in large part to the remarkable strides that we as a College have made over the past five years. As a
Enforcing
are placed in holding
facilities before they are 2 Immigration Laws
community, we have developed, and implemented, an ambitious vision for academic excellence. We have focused our energies
on three interlocking initiatives:
returned to Mexico.
John Jay Alumni
Photo: Gerald L. Nino
Assess Local Law • Changing the Student Profile
Enforcement’s We have aggressively raised academic standards for admission to John Jay College. We are mid-way through a four-year plan
Bottom: Forensic Computing
Laboratory Dilemma to phase out admissions to our associate degree programs. We have created educational partnerships with the six community
colleges of the City University of New York to offer joint degree programs in criminal justice and forensic science. These
Preserving efforts are showing results. Over the past two years, the incoming baccalaureate class at John Jay has increased from
5 the Memory 1,027 to 1,414, a 38 percent increase. Next, we will focus on improving student success, starting with increasing our
of Violence retention and graduation rates.
Photography Coordinator Throughout this issue, you will see the scholarship and commitment of the John Jay
Doreen Viñas Alumni Class Notes
Alumni Contributor
27 community. Your continuing support of our College is vital to our future as we continue to
prepare future generations to meet the challenges of justice.
Sharice Conway
2 3
jurisdictional issues, the federal government
established a program called “Section 287(g)
Preserving
of the Immigration and Nationality Act” that
permits designated officers, who have been
trained, to perform federal immigration law
enforcement functions. So far, a relatively
the Memory
small number of law enforcement agencies
are participating in the program.
COMMUNITY SENTIMENT
Just how much local enforcement does in the
way of checking status often reflects
Yet, the victims of state-sponsored violence activist and Nobel Prize Laureate, was Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It refers to how but there are also many similarities,” said
in Guatemala are still waiting for the day affiliated with that organization as well. societies that have suffered under repressive Esparza, who is Chilean. “I think the common
when those responsible for the torture, regimes handle these legacies of brutality denominator, one common denominator, is
murder and disappearances of their friends On her own, Esparza visited the Guatemalan once they have made the transition from the role played by the United States Yet, the victims
and families will pay for their crimes. refugee camps, visiting different communities authoritarian rule to democracy. It is often intervening militarily in all these countries to
that had been displaced by the war. In 1997,
“There is a lack of recognition of violence in she was hired as an international consultant
accomplished through truth commissions or protect transnational economic interests.” of state-
the passing of amnesty laws that give
the (Latin American) region,” said John Jay and field researcher to the U.N. Guatemalan perpetrators of human rights violations Students’ Research — A Personal
Overall, Professor Marcia Esparza, a recognized Truth Commission. During the three years Connection sponsored
immunity from prosecution.
Guatemalan scholar. “Within the field of she spent in Guatemala, Esparza conducted Jenny Escobar, 28, moved to the United
an estimated genocide studies, there is no recognition of hundreds of interviews with survivors. “My aim and the aim of people States from Colombia when she was nine. violence in
what Guatemala suffered. There was no She graduated from John Jay in 2005 with a
“That’s when I realized the magnitude working with me are to try to
200,000 people International Criminal Court. There were
preserve this history as truthful,”
degree in forensic psychology and is now Guatemala are
International Criminal Courts for Rwanda and of the violence,” she said. pursuing a doctorate in social psychology
were killed, the former Yugoslavia, but there was no said Esparza. “There are many with a focus on social justice from the
International Criminal Court to try to bring the
Esparza spent 1997 to 2000 “vicariously University of California, Santa Cruz. As
still waiting
bearing witness” to the Guatemalan genocide truths. Who is to say who has the
perpetrators in Guatemala to justice.” one of Esparza’s mentees under the
50,000 by collecting testimonies from survivors living truth? But, we have a body of for the day
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Esparza’s Interest in refugee camps. After joining John Jay in evidence, pictures, oral testimonies Achievement Program, Escobar spent two
disappeared, Esparza became involved with Guatemala 2000 as an assistant professor in the
Department of Latin American and Latina/o
that account for a specific truth. years researching the Guatemalan Truth when those
and its indigenous community through a and Reconciliation Commission from a
human rights internship in 1992 that dealt Studies, she began creating the Historical That’s the memory I’m trying to keep
150,000 escaped with the Network in Solidarity with the People Memory Project (HMP) as a way of alive.” psychological perspective. However, her responsible for
dissertation is on collective memory in
of Guatemala. Coincidentally, Rigoberta “preserving the memory of violence in the Colombia.
over the border Assisting Esparza in this work are several
Menchu Tum, the Guatemalan human-rights region as it affects vulnerable populations.”
John Jay students who come from other Latin
the torture,
Escobar’s family experienced little direct
The Historical Memory Project, that has since American countries, including Colombia and
to Mexico and grown to include other Latin American Argentina. The HMP was expanded to include
violence. Her mother and extended family murder and
came to the United States for economic
countries, is unique. While there are similar these and other nations, Esparza explained,
1.5 million were opportunities that were unavailable in their
projects in the United States, none, she because it was evident that there was a
country.
disappearances
believes, pertain specifically to Latin America pattern to the violence that stretched from
displaced and the history of state-sponsored violence in Mexico down to the Caribbean. Still, “my focus on Colombia of their
the region.
While the extinction of indigenous peoples is definitely comes from my personal
during the Memory Politics crucial to an understanding of how terror is history. The more I learn about friends and
The project is also a significant part of a institutionalized in Latin America, the HMP
course of nearly Colombia and the history of the time
larger global movement called “memory now also examines violence directed at urban families
politics” that emerged from human rights populations, as well. my mom emigrated,” said Escobar,
four decades activism in South Africa and the Latin “I think it has to a lot to do with the will pay for
“When I compare what happened in Chile and
The parents and wife of a man who had buried them during the American countries of the Southern Cone —
Guatemala, of course there are differences result of the conflict.”
night after soldiers gunned them down as they were fleeing the
of war. mountains. Nebaj, Quiché, 2000 Photo: Jonathan Moller their crimes.
continued on page 21
6 7
career of state Senator John J. Marchi. The list of subjects to be interviewed is “a
By Peter Dodenhoff enforcement history, and it wasn’t even a and risk-management firm, Kroll recalled how
focus of my research,” said Kroessler, who he and his wife, Lynn, had attended a
Imagine having a handful of former New York City mayors, holds a PhD in urban history from the City gathering of New York City criminal justice
University Graduate Center and is the author leaders hosted by President Travis. Surveying
current district attorneys and assorted other public officials in the of New York, Year by Year: A Chronology of a room that included Brown, Manhattan
the Great Metropolis. “This is turning me into District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, Police
same room, sitting around a table, all discussing their firsthand a historian of criminal justice in New York Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Fire
City, because I have to know the subject Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta, among
experiences with criminal justice and other weighty issues. when I’m talking to people.” A native New many others, Lynn Kroll told her husband,
Yorker, Kroessler remembered Bernie Goetz, “Boy, there’s a lot of history in this room. It’s
the Guardian Angels, the Central Park jogger like a criminal justice hall of fame.” From that
case. “I lived through that, and I’m now observation, according to Jules Kroll, the idea
Firsthand
talking to people about that. Still, even for the Oral History Project was born, as a
though something might be in the papers kind of starting point for something that could accounts of
today, as a historian I have to think ‘What’s become bigger over time.
going to be significant about this 10, 20, 30 those who
years from now?’ That’s the tricky part.” “The idea here is to capture the
The oral history is slowly and steadily coming thinking and the wisdom of people were and are
together, a fact that delights Chief Librarian before they’re no longer around to
(L-R) Robert Morgenthau,
Manhattan District Attorney;
Larry Sullivan. “Firsthand accounts of those do so. After all, so many of the involved in
Judge Harold Baer, U.S. District Court, who were and are involved in groundbreaking
Southern District of New York;
cases and in the formulation of criminal issues we face today are ones ground-
(Ret.) Judge Milton Mollen, New York
State Court of Appeals;
Jules Kroll, Chair of the John Jay
justice policy and issues are essential to we’ve faced before,” said Kroll.
College Foundation, scholarly work in the field,” Sullivan observed. “John Jay is a wonderfully neutral breaking cases
Richard Brown, Queens
District Attorney
“We are fortunate to have in New York some
of the most prominent leaders in criminal place, the perfect place for a project
-It hasn’t happened yet, but John Jay’s Lloyd of transcripts housed in the Sealy Library’s justice, and the goal of our project is to get like this that focuses on the nexus of and in the
George Sealy Library has come up with what Special Collections, available to students, on tape as many of their stories as possible. the public sector, private sector and
may be the next best thing — “Justice in New researchers, journalists and others interested These materials will benefit researchers for formulation
York,” an Oral History Project that has in seeing and hearing history come alive. generations to come.” academia.”
captured the musings of former Mayor
“This is a form of historic preservation,” said To date, more than 15 prominent figures While the end-products of the interviews may of criminal
Edward I. Koch, Brooklyn District Attorney turn out to be as different as fingerprints, the
the project’s guiding hand, Professor Jeffrey have been interviewed by Kroessler — in
Charles J. Hynes, former Police actual process of creating the oral history is justice policy
Kroessler. “We’re generating historical some cases more than once — with a list of
Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy and many relatively constant. Kroessler starts by
documents, and we think they’re of value, roughly two dozen more awaiting their turn.
others on tape, preserving their insights and compiling a chronology of the subject’s life
recollections for posterity. although the historians, political scientists, The collection already includes Mayor Edward and issues
and career, using the Library’s prodigious
This is criminal justice investigators and other I. Koch, district attorneys Richard A. Brown of
resources, including the New York Times
The Oral History Project aspires to nothing researchers who make use of them will Queens, Charles J. Hynes of Brooklyn, Robert are essential
T. Johnson of the Bronx and Daniel M. online archive. “The chronology becomes a
a form of less than providing a one-of-a-kind research
resource on the New York criminal justice
ultimately determine their significance.”
Donovan of Staten Island, former Police framework to start them talking about their
system in the late 20th century, as seen Kroessler came to John Jay in 2005 from the Commissioners William Bratton and Patrick lives,” said Kroessler, “because naturally with to scholarly
historic through the eyes of leaders who have been College of Staten Island, where he completed Murphy, and retired Judge Milton Mollen, who most oral histories you want it to be a
intimately involved in its evolution. In the long an 11-volume Oral History Project focusing chaired an anti-corruption commission that narrative that starts at the beginning and work in the
preservation. run, the project will take the form of volumes on the politics of Staten Island and the bears his name. keeps going until it reaches the end. Even
though there are incidents you want to talk field.
8 9
about, you want to do it in the context of their “Very rarely have I gotten someone who’s X’d
entire career.” out entire sections.” Kroessler’s exacting
PRISM
The collection method isn’t one to which oral history
Careers may be long, but Kroessler explains specialists universally subscribe. “Some
already includes to his subjects that he has a 90-minute people do the verbatim approach, while I
cassette ready to roll, with a second one prefer the edited approach. It’s an approach
as backup. If an interviewee wants to keep that I think makes for a more accessible end-
Mayor Edward I. Koch, talking, Kroessler will sometimes arrange product, meaning the transcript.” Kroessler Shines Light on
for a follow-up visit. The degree to which also prepares an index of each transcript, so
district attorneys interviewees tend to be cooperative came
as a pleasant surprise to Kroessler. “It’s
that a researcher looking for, say, information Students’ Scientific Curiosity
on the Rockefeller drug laws will be able to By Jennifer Nislow
Richard A. Brown surprising because we’re talking about see whether the district attorneys in the
subject matter where people don’t bare their collection made any comments on the
entire souls and tell everything, because they subject.
of Queens, just can’t,” he said. “A public figure has to
control his or her persona, so you’re not It can take months to complete the work on a
Charles J. Hynes necessarily going to get all of the revelations single person — “with some people you send
or confessionals that you think you’re going them the transcript and it doesn’t come back
of Brooklyn, to get. If they don’t want to talk about for a while,” Kroessler said — and there’s no
something, they won’t. There are difficult telling when the project as a whole might
things to bring up, and you don’t necessarily conclude. “We look at it as a long-term
Robert T. Johnson get the complete chapter-and-verse story project of the Library and John Jay College,”
from them.” he noted, “because we have a growing
of the Bronx archive here, that’s going to become part of
Still, Kroessler hastens to add, the project our collection.”
is not about producing “gotcha!” moments.
and “It’s not a deposition. It’s intended to be Yet with all the attention to detail that is going
‘what’s your story that you want people to into the project, Kroessler admits that the (L-R) Professor Anthony Carpi, Daniel Cocris, Anthony Ho, Stacey-Ann Mano.
Daniel M. Donovan come away with?’” toughest thing about this or any oral history
is knowing how incomplete it is. “No matter Imagine taking a device no According to Professor Anthony Carpi of the
To that end, Kroessler takes some extra how much preparation you do, no matter how
PRISM students,
of Staten Island, Department of Sciences, “PRISM tries to
steps to insure a quality end-product. The many times you talk to a person, you realize bigger than a matchbook to a
tapes are transcribed by a specialized present a seamless front to students. When
that it is a discussion about a life or an event, crime scene and using it to students are looking to do undergraduate who are selected
retired Police transcription service at the University of but it is not the complete story. There are
Connecticut, whereupon Kroessler edits the instantly identify illicit research, they talk to Professor Ron Pilette,
gaps, there are mistakes, there are things I who is the PRISM coordinator. He figures out based on their
Commissioners
document, cleaning up sentence fragments, forget to ask that I know I should have asked, substances in a drop of blood.
taking out “ums” and similar interjections, and whether they’re eligible for any type of
there are things that the person refuses to This tool, like all of the projects funding. So rather than having students deal grades and
amending inadvertent misstatements of fact, say. That’s the most frustrating thing, I think,
William Bratton such as incorrect dates. The transcript is Marcel Roberts has worked on with that headache, Ron has the headache.”
the natural limit of oral history. It is an
then forwarded to the interviewee. individual telling his or her story, with all the since graduating from John Jay At present, stipends are awarded only to interest in doing
and Patrick Murphy, “The agreement I have with them is that they pluses and minuses that are entailed in that.” in 2002, he hopes will one day upper-class students based on the research
can make whatever changes they want,” proposals they submit. The awards range research, are
Peter Dodenhoff is editor of @ John Jay. have a profound impact on from $500 to $1,500 per semester, and up
and retired Kroessler said. By and large the subjects are
See excerpt on page 22 forensic science. to $2,500 for an academic year, with the
satisfied with the record of what they said. exposed to
possibility of additional funds during the
Judge Milton Mollen, Roberts, a chemical biologist, is a post-
summer.
doctoral fellow at McGill University in professional
Donations to support the Oral History Project Montreal, Canada. He was part of John Jay’s PRISM students, who are selected based on
who chaired an
are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology their grades and interest in doing research,
Entry Program), a New York State are exposed to professional conferences held
conferences held
anti-corruption Please make your check payable to: Department of Education initiative that has at colleges and universities around the
John Jay College Foundation, Oral History Project provided mentoring, research training and country. They gain experience working with at colleges and
commission that funding to promising forensic science other researchers in a lab, learn how to meet
Please send your check to: students at John Jay for more than a decade. with professors and potential research universities
John Jay College Foundation, Inc. In 2006, the grant became one of four advisors, and present their work.
bears his name.
899 Tenth Avenue funding streams making up a new, expansive
program at the College called PRISM “They (Pilette and Carpi) are just unbelievable around the
See excerpt on page 22 New York, NY 10019 mentors,” said former PRISM student and
(Program for Research Initiatives for
Science Majors). future dentist Daniel Cocris, who graduated country.
10 11
Mano admits to being one of those whose fascination
Professor Carpi and PRISM
students conduct an experiment.
with the program “CSI” led her to enroll in John Jay’s forensic
science program. But forensic science in practice was
not what it seemed like on TV.
from John Jay in 2006. Cocris, 35, came to program for students who showed talent in
the U.S. from Romania in 1995. In January, that subject. As a sophomore at Brooklyn
“Dr. Carpi is
he interviewed at Columbia University College Technical High School — where students are
of Dental Medicine and at New York required to declare a major — Ho enrolled in there as a
University College of Dentistry. the school’s bio-medical program. But, he did
Anthony Ho and Stacey-Ann Mano are both
not “fit the mold” of a medical student, he mentor,” she
said. Looking around for a program that
seniors and forensic science majors who
began as CSTEP students but are continuing
would provide him with the classes he said, “but
needed to be pre-med, but not a traditional
their studies under PRISM. While the stipends pre-med program, he became a forensic
they received helped, money is not what drew science major.
he is not on
them to the program. Both joined for the
opportunity to do research. “I had never done anything with your back.
environmental science,” said Ho. “With Dr.
Since 2005, the Department of Carpi, I’m working on a new theory he has for I am there
Sciences has offered an the emission of mercury. I am also doing a
project with Dr. [Nathan] Lents that is wildly
undergraduate research course as different,” he said. “We mutate fibroblasts sometimes by myself and can think logically The undergraduate research he did as a sometimes
an alternative to the traditional and investigate how a certain gene, the to get through a problem if I have one, or just CSTEP student, according to McGill
capstone project all science majors different members of the CCN family, affects be able to work on an experiment from University’s Roberts, made him aware of by myself and
the growth. Two crazily different projects, but beginning to end, all by myself.” “how big science really is.”
are required to complete. In their I like both.” While PRISM teaches students how to do Roberts, 29, was born in New York City, but can think
senior year, students may take either research, from note-taking, to presentations, grew up in France where his father worked
Ho is still considering medical school. After
a traditional externship at an outside he graduates, he will take a year off to study to handling instruments and all of the other for the United Nations. He discovered John logically to
lab, or complete the same 400 for the MCATs and GREs. nuts-and-bolts components that comprise the Jay while researching colleges and
endeavor, Carpi also tries to instill in them the universities at an American library. Forensic get through
hours doing research in-house. While “We’ll see which one I do better at,” said Ho. broader concept: that science is more than science, Roberts explained, combined two
PRISM students may select either “From there, we’ll see what happens.” just the memorization of facts and is, in fact, favorite subjects: science and law.
a way of thinking, an “epistemology” — a problem
option, most, like Ho and Mano, Mano admits to being one of those whose In his freshman year, Roberts attracted the
something that he considers hard to convey
science choose the undergraduate research fascination with the program “CSI” led her to
in a conventional classroom. “As a forensic attention of Carpi, Pilette and (retired) if I have one,
enroll in John Jay’s forensic science program. Professor Morris Zedek, who all became
class where they — in effect — scientist, you’re actually trying to understand
But forensic science in practice was not what invaluable mentors. They gave Roberts and a
is more than receive stipends for fulfilling their it seemed like on TV. So, Mano has decided
all the different possible ways that something
lab partner the opportunity to do research on
or just be able
could have happened, investigating each one,
internship. to go to medical school; she is planning to
and then eliminating them to find the one true a project involving photoremediation, that is
just the become a forensic pathologist. In addition to
possibility,” said Ho. “In research science… using plants — in this case, barley — to to work on
Carpi’s own research is on the ability of PRISM, the 23-year-old participates in a leach cadmium and other heavy metals from
the approach really shouldn’t be so concrete.
memorization elemental mercury to vaporize into the medical mentoring program at Albert Einstein
I hate to use the word abstract, but in a the soil. an experiment
atmosphere repeatedly after being deposited College of Medicine.
in soil or water through coal combustion, way it is.” “It was an extremely cool idea,” said Roberts.
of facts and metal smelting and trash incineration. All of According to Mano, her work in Carpi’s lab from
has helped her to overcome “stage fright” Said Cocris: “I learned that you The project won a McNair Fellow, CSTEP NY
his PRISM students are investigating different
is, in fact, aspects of this ecological problem. when presenting before faculty and peers. It cannot be rigid in your thinking. You
Research Award in 2002. beginning
has also taught her to work on her own in the “When I was in John Jay, my initial idea was to
Joining CSTEP as a sophomore, Ho, 21, always need to adapt. You start out
a way of began working with Carpi in his junior year.
lab without a partner or instructor. just get my forensic science degree and then to end,
with one thing and you end up with start working in a forensic lab…I thought the
Ho became interested in science as a sixth- “Dr. Carpi is there as a mentor,” she said,
thinking. grader when he was accepted into a magnet “but he is not on your back. I am there another thing altogether.” best-case scenario would be working for the all by myself.”
continued on page 23
12 13
The Write Stuff
Changing the Paradigm of Criminal Justice Journalism
By Stephen Handelman
The missing child, in fact, was one of 34 of crime and injustice in U.S. society. “This,” for Excellence
Chicago school kids who had fallen victim to he argued, “is one of those times when the
gun violence — either accidental or targeted press should be sounding the alarm.” in Criminal Justice
— during the 2006–2007 school year. Panel Discussion on Sentencing and Corrections -- (L-R) Beryl Howell, Commissioner of U.S. Sentencing Commission; Judge Nancy
Similar stories could have been found in The Center on Media, Crime and Justice was Gertner, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts; Todd Clear, Distinguished Professor of Criminal Justice, John Jay College.
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Los Angeles or any of established to help the press do exactly that. Journalism
Since 2007, led by working journalists, it has And in February, it launched the country’s first The turmoil in the industry predates the
a dozen U.S. cities where guns and youth
been connecting reporters with the tools, comprehensive website on criminal justice, in current economic crisis, but it certainly hasn’t
crime have made a combustible mix. recognizes the
skills and background knowledge crucial to collaboration with one of its partners, been helped by it. The most recent annual
Most ordinary Americans, however, are generating the kind of public debate that Criminal Justice Journalists. The Crime American Society of Newspaper Editors
unaware that this is going on in their drives change in a democracy. Report (www.thecrimereport.org ) features (ASNE) job survey, published in April, 2008, best journalists
backyards. The reason is not hard to find: the daily news, reports of new research and a found that newsrooms around the country
media have not focused on the problem. At a With funding support from sponsors that unique Criminal Justice Resource Directory lost an estimated 2,400 journalists in 2007 in the country
time when national homicide figures are include the Open Society Institute, the for journalists and criminal justice alone. That may not sound like much,
Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Pew
the pattern steadily declining, the pattern of murder of
Charitable Trusts and the New York Times
professionals. compared to job losses, say, in auto whose stories
young black and brown Americans simply manufacturing. But that represents a 4.4
Company Foundation, the Center has brought Journalists across the country already know percent decline — the largest decrease in 30
of hasn’t been a “story.”
together hundreds of working journalists from John Jay as a premier source of information years. And things have gotten even worse
advance a deeper
What does it take to change this around the country with criminal justice and knowledge on criminal justice. Now, this year. So why spend time and resources
murder of state of affairs? professionals, students, scholars (including thanks to the Center, John Jay has become improving a “failing” industry? understanding of
from John Jay) and policymakers for one of the nation’s key sounding boards for
young black Bob Herbert, the New York Times columnist conferences, fellowship programs and the challenges facing criminal justice You could ask Melissa Grima. key criminal justice
who told the story of the Chicago workshops. journalism.
Melissa, 33, works for the Coos County
schoolteacher at a recent luncheon for
and brown program officers and journalists sponsored It organizes the annual John Jay Prize for But the question you might ask is: Democrat, a small weekly in northern New issues and lead to
by John Jay’s Center on Media, Crime and Excellence in Criminal Justice Journalism, why bother? Hampshire. Far from her counterparts in the
Americans Justice (CMCJ), believes it requires a which recognizes the best journalists in the
The media industry is going through a crisis
New York Times and the Washington Post, change —
country whose stories advance a deeper Melissa covers the daily stories that are
profound transformation of the media’s — perhaps the worst in living memory. important to her neighbors, from school
simply approach to what is “news” in traditional understanding of key criminal justice issues
Newspaper and broadcast jobs are dwindling board meetings to fires. But America’s small
a prize now
criminal justice reporting. and lead to change — a prize now regarded
away. Even major newspapers themselves towns aren’t immune from the criminal justice
as the “Pulitzer” of crime reporting.
hasn’t The media, he said, need to get beyond
are on the chopping block. problems of the big city, and in her regular regarded as the
stereotypical views of crime that relegate It is developing new curricula, workshops and
been every-day violence against poor people or course materials aimed at helping both
Reporters need to report on the multi-dimensional “Pulitzer” of
victims of color to the back pages. Reporters journalists and criminal justice students
understand the crucial intersection between
a “story.” need to report on the multi-dimensional roots
communications, practice and research.
roots of crime and injustice in U.S. society. crime reporting.
14 15
Judge Judith S. Kaye, Winners’ Circle
retired Chief Judge of the (L-R) President Jeremy Travis;
State of New York, John Jay Journalism Awards
gives keynote address at the
Symposium luncheon. winners —
Christine Johnson,
Times Herald-Record,
Middletown, NY
and Eric Nalder,
Seattle Post-Intelligencer;
Steve Brill, guest speaker,
founder and former CEO of
Court TV; and
Stephen Handelman,
Director of the Center
on Media, Crime and Justice
at John Jay College.
At least one rounds with local police, Melissa gradually and workshops on subjects ranging from the What these new media outlets and immigrants, are victimized in New York
became aware of a dramatic rise in impact of the economic crisis on crime smaller publications often lack, schools. The CMCJ, in partnership with the
prescription drug abuse in her area. issues to the future of forensics. The New York Community Media Alliance (with
of the Fellows however, is the access to
conference theme — “A New Beginning:
information and knowledge, along
over 200 members in the New York region) is The 2009
She decided to investigate further. Exploring the Criminal Justice Challenges sponsoring a new Community and Justice
lost his job in the “One of the big questions is…why Over the Next Four Years” — fit well with her with the mentoring experience and Reporting Award to encourage journalists to John Jay
now?” she wondered. “What has need for practical research. As a result, she background, enjoyed by their do more of this kind of work.
interval between has returned home with a notebook full of counterparts in larger newspapers.
made the factors right for this rise in ideas and resources — and contacts — that The 2009 John Jay journalism awards, journalism
Of course, even those larger outlets announced at the Harry Frank Guggenheim
his acceptance of prescription drug abuse?” Her editor, will help her complete her reporting. At the
are now suffering, as buyouts take Conference, were further proof of the awards,
Eileen Alexander, gave Melissa carte final closing session for Fellows, her
colleagues peppered her with so many away the veterans who could steer potential of criminal justice journalism to
the Fellowship blanche to investigate the story. change lives. This year’s two winners were
But what this enterprising journalist
suggestions and leads for more reporting younger reporters through the court
Eric Nalder and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
announced
that she couldn’t resist a smile. “There are system or local police; and the strain
and his arrival at needed first was the kind of team for a multi-part series that exposed
ideas here I never thought of before,” on resources reduces training racial bias by Seattle police in obstruction at the
background knowledge and national she said. opportunities.
John Jay. arrests and the handling of complaints
perspective that could help inform Melissa and her colleagues were well aware
The Center on Media Crime and against police. And, Christine Young, a Harry Frank
her reporting — resources that that their industry is in danger. At least one of reporter for the Times Herald-Record of
But try to Justice emerged to fill that
weren’t easily available or affordable the Fellows lost his job in the interval between
“knowledge gap.” Even in the
Middletown, New York, for her investigation Guggenheim
his acceptance of the Fellowship and his into what she considered the wrongful 1989
nearby. short time since the Center was
tell them — arrival at John Jay. But try to tell them — conviction of Lebrew Jones, who spent 20
Conference,
This year, Melissa was selected by the or their readers and viewers —- that what established, there have been results. years in prison on charges of murdering a
Center on Media, Crime and Justice as one they do doesn’t count. Manhattan prostitute. As a result of
or their of 15 Journalism Fellows to attend the fourth Last June, the CMCJ brought 24 Fellows from Christine’s article, the Manhattan District were further
As it happens, some of the most successful U.S. ethnic and community media together Attorney opened a new investigation into the
annual Harry Frank Guggenheim Symposium
readers and on Crime in America at John Jay on February
and thriving news outlets today are small for two days of intense briefings and field case. Losing the opportunity to do such proof
weeklies like the Coos County Democrat, reporting with experts and policymakers on stories would be a tragedy for our
2 and February 3. The symposium is the
along with community and independent
viewers — CMCJ’s signature event, now a landmark on
newspapers (and ethnic press) in urban
the “criminalization of immigration.” Some of
the stories that emerged from the conference
communities and the nation as a whole. In of the
the calendar of criminal justice conferences this time of turmoil, the CMCJ and John Jay
neighborhoods and rural territories, whose have shed new light on dark corners: a
that what around the country — and the only national
readers are often neglected by their big-city groundbreaking examination of immigration
are now at the forefront of helping journalists
potential of
gathering that brings together journalists with find the resources and the tools they need to
counterparts. Add to that the growing marriage fraud by City Limits weekly fulfill journalism’s highest mission — in Bob
criminal justice professionals and scholars for
they do candid discussions on criminal justice topics.
number of online news outlets and bloggers, magazine; an exposé of backroom Herbert’s words, of “sounding the alarm.” criminal justice
and the picture of American journalism immigration lawyers who prey on
doesn’t Along with the other 2009 Fellows, Melissa looks a little more encouraging than the undocumented immigrants by Nowy Dziennik, Stephen Handelman is director of the Center on Media,
Crime and Justice at John Jay. He has been a
journalism to
participated in two days of intense seminars headlines portray. a Polish community weekly in New York; and prize-winning journalist, author and journalism educator
count. a chilling look by The Indian Express at how
Sikh youth, many of them first-generation
over the past 25 years. change lives.
16 17
Professors Richard Lovely
and Samuel Graff giving
a presentation.
MS in Forensic Computing
Prepares
Future
Cybercrime
Sleuths By Peter Dodenhoff
You have to You don’t want your employer to know what Staying on top of such a rapidly changing The program prepares its students to fill an come from around the world — hailing from
you’ve been doing with your work computer field is no easy feat, but John Jay can lay “unequivocal, unmet need” in the field, both in such places as Canada and Turkey — and in
on company time, so you delete potentially claim, without fear of challenge, to having the diverse nature of its curriculum and the turn go far upon graduation.
have the incriminating e-mails and dump the trash, created the nation’s first graduate program in demanding prerequisites for admission.
erase your browser history and empty the forensic computing. The program, now in its “Given the availability of off-the-shelf District attorneys in New York have
mindset of a computer’s recycling bin. fifth year, is unique in the way it deftly melds commercial software and commercial training sought out John Jay graduates to
Problem solved, right? Don’t bet on it.
both the technological and criminal justice programs, you can do digital forensics run their digital forensic labs, while
digital aspects of forensic computing. Professor without any computer science background at others have gone on to work for
The meteoric rise of computer usage, Richard Lovely traces the hybrid nature of all, but we are unique in requiring a solid base
federal agencies or in top private-
detective. the curriculum to the very inception of in computer science,” said Lovely. At a
computing power and digital technology in
the program and the man who initially minimum, applicants to the graduate sector firms. forensics
general, has transformed society, and with
that transformation an arguably predictable suggested it. program in forensic computing are expected Lovely believes that the forensic computing
increase in computer misuse and criminality. to have undergraduate coursework or program is more than equal to the task of
is a field
“Bob Weaver was the head of the Secret equivalent experience in object-oriented
Ready to tackle this challenge are the faculty Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force keeping up with constant changes in both
and students in John Jay’s Master of Science [ECTF] at the time,” said Lovely, one of the
programming, data structures, algorithms, high technology and relevant law. He is also where you get
program in Forensic Computing. operating-system fundamentals, calculus and unshakable in his view that the program’s
graduate program’s founding directors. The
ECTF was operating out of an office suite
calculus-based statistics and probability. focus is the correct one. “Let’s face it,” he your hands
The problem of computer crime is said, “forensics is a field where you get your
provided by John Jay, and Weaver “pointedly “You have to have the mindset of a digital
vast, and getting bigger and more asked to have a meeting with the Provost, detective,” Lovely said, noting that “CSI”-type hands dirty. The one-semester internship we dirty.
complex all the time. It involves far and he made the pitch that this was television shows have helped boost the require for most students helps them do just
something we should be doing. And from the appeal of the forensic computing master’s that.
more than just misappropriation of
outset, the intent was for it to be a hybrid program. At the same time, however, Lovely “There are other models we could have
The
work computers for personal use,
program.” is quick to point out that graduates of the
The program whether legal or not. Elaborate master’s program emerge as leaders in the
followed in crafting this program,” he said,
one-semester
Lovely, a member of the Department of “but we believe that the ability to train people
criminal schemes can be embedded field not “your garden variety forensic in network forensics is going to be our bread
prepares its in hard drives. Cell phones,
Sociology was asked to work with Professor analysts.” They are prepared to become and butter.” internship
Samuel Graff of the Department of laboratory administrators, directors of
Blackberries and other similar Mathematics and Computer Science, which
students to training, agency heads and more. Students Peter Dodenhoff is editor of @ John Jay.
we require for
electronic devices can reveal a trail already had an undergraduate computer
of digital breadcrumbs that leads to science program, to begin designing the
fill an master’s program. The idea from the Graduates of the master’s program emerge as most students
an elusive criminal. Even the beginning, Lovely said, was that the
unequivocal, ubiquitous E-Z Pass found in millions curriculum would be “evenly distributed leaders in the field not “your garden variety forensic helps them do
of cars has played a role in crimes between technical classes and criminal
unmet need. and criminal investigations. justice classes.” analysts.”
just that.
18 19
continued from page 4 continued from page 7
PRISM
continued from page 21 Professor Carpi (far right)
genocide studies, discusses use of lab instruments
there is no
and B) it relates to indigenous people,” says Shines Light on
recognition of what
Esparza. “To my eyes, it’s a big dose of racism, of Students’ Scientific Curiosity
Guatemala suffered. rendering indigenous peoples’ genocide invisible.”
There was no Concluding Thoughts “I attribute the invisibility to A) it’s Central
According to Esparza, “Violence in Latin America and B) it relates to indigenous
International America is often ‘ghetto-ized’ by scholars and people,” says Esparza. “To my eyes, it’s a big
policymakers who believe it only pertains to dose of racism, of rendering indigenous
Criminal Court. the study of the region. And, there may be peoples’ genocide invisible.”
even darker reasons for that.”
Esparza speculates that discrimination was
There were An entire chapter of her upcoming book also behind the lack of extensive media
State Violence and Genocide in Latin America: coverage as thousands upon thousands of
International The Cold War Years is devoted to why there Mayan people in Central America were
has never been an international tribunal to tortured, murdered and conscripted into
Criminal Courts for investigate the Guatemalan genocide, as there paramilitary squads against their will.
has been for Cambodia and other countries.
Jennifer Nislow is senior writer at John Jay College.
Rwanda and
DEA or the FBI,” said Roberts. “The idea of the resources to offer science students the
the former Yugoslavia, “Justice in New York” In their own words
grad school had never really crossed my mind kind of research opportunities provided by
PRISM (Program for
Excerpt from one of the completed oral histories, continued from page 10 Research Initiatives for
until they ([Carpi, Pilette and Zedek) said it well-funded science programs at upper-tier Science Majors) is an
but there was no On Attica him to put his stamp on it. Now, people say to was actually possible.” schools. “umbrella” that allows
The toughest part, aside from going into the me, “Gosh, do you think it would have made a the College to pool
International After graduating from John Jay, he earned PRISM not only offers that chance to John Jay
prison, was telephoning Rockefeller on that difference?” I don’t know if it would have funding received
a doctorate in chemistry from Boston College. students, but also gives them a means of
Sunday afternoon, urging him to come to made a difference. But when you consider the through:
His work there was in electrochemical and forging those personal relationships with
Criminal Court Albany. Curiously, my chief of staff came to stakes that we were facing, and I had a very
spectroscopic studies of biomolecular faculty that prove helpful later on, when good • CSTEP (Collegiate
Attica with me. And he was in the warden’s good idea of what was going to happen,
complexes. As a fellow at McGill, he is letters of recommendation are needed for Science and
to try to bring the office and there was Kunstler calling to should have tried it.
working on the development of a digital post-baccalaureate programs and jobs. Technology Entry
Rockefeller in Pocantico Hills. My guy was
Jeff Kroessler — Did you really think there microfluidic device that can detect Program)
really very smart. They had dial phones at that “It’s really beneficial, especially with students
perpetrators in time and so he made note of Rockefeller’s was a chance he would come? biomolecules in a small sample of liquid.
who may not have that type of environment at • LSAMP (Louis Stokes
The idea is to be able to detect multiple Alliance for Minority
number, and he gave it to me. I’m sure if JD — Oh, sure. This was no charade. It was home, or may have that environment, but just
Guatemala to justice. components in a single droplet. The chip Participation), a
Rocky ever knew how we got his number, he his responsibility. I mean, it was very clear not in science,” said Carpi. “That’s why we’ve
would be approximately 2-inches by CUNY-wide initiative
really would have been ticked. … I’m a great that they were going to use lethal force to been pushing it so hard,” he said. “When we
3-inches big. funded by the
admirer. I’m a Rockefeller Republican. But, retake the facility. You had guards who were look at success as measured by post-
let’s see, it was Wicker, Badillo, the editor of there who were targets. The likelihood, as it Theoretically, Roberts explained, the device graduate education, it is the students who are National Science
the Amsterdam News and I were the four turned out, was correct, were going to meet could be taken to a crime scene where it doing undergraduate research that are Foundation (NSF)
people who spoke to him that afternoon. I their death. He was the man; he was in could detect specific proteins and enzymes pursuing graduate school.” • Title V, U.S.
was the last one to speak with him. And he charge. You know, the Sunday after the Attica in an amount as small as six microliters of Department of
just wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t come. See, my blood. Through PRISM, Mano recently went on a tour
riot I was on one of those Sunday morning Education grant
thought was this, “Come and be there. I don’t of Yale University.
programs. You know, they asked me straight • CCRAA (College
want you going in D Yard. Come, be there. “All of my projects have always had potential
out, “Do you think he should have come?” And “It kind of opened my eyes to a bigger school, Cost Reduction and
Meet with, so you’re symbolically involved.” for use in forensic science, since John Jay,”
I said, “Yes.” To this day, I think it could to the kind of things they were doing,” she Access Act), a
Because we had agreed on, I think, 29 of the he said.
have made a difference. Could have. said. “I don’t think as many people take collaborative grant
32 or 33 demands. And what those guys A number of National Science Foundation advantage of PRISM as they should. It’s been
John R. Dunne between John Jay
inside were worried about was, “once we lay Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, reports, noted Carpi, have found that publicly- very, very useful.” and the Borough of
down our arms, they’re not going to honor U. S. Department of Justice, 1990-1993 funded institutions with a predominantly
NYS Senate, 1966-89 Manhattan
any of these conditions.” So we wanted to get minority student body generally do not have Jennifer Nislow is senior writer at John Jay College.
Negotiator at Attica State Prison, 1971 Community College
22 23
Alumni Worth Noting Alumni Worth Noting
My John Jay John H. Austin, Jr. (MA ’01) Joseph Billy, Jr. Not only did
In the late 1980s, at the zenith of the violent Joseph Billy, Jr. started his career in the
education crack epidemic, John H. Austin, Jr. was a mailroom of the FBI’s Newark Office in 1978. the night shift
member of the Philadelphia Police Really! Thirty years later, he retired from the
Department’s Narcotics Unit. His concern Bureau as assistant director in charge of the
required me to Counterterrorism Division in Washington, DC. give him the
about the level of violence across the country
led him to join the Drug Enforcement He is now vice president of Global Security
see beyond what Administration (DEA) in 1988 where he for Prudential Financial. foundation
achieved the rank of assistant special agent Starting out as a support employee,
was immediately in charge (ASAC) in the New York Division. especially when working nights, became the for his career,
As a new agent, he was assigned to “grounding” of his career as a special agent.
in front of me. the New York Field Division where he my experience at John Jay not only “I was able to handle all the duties after hours it also gave him
including taking complaints and handling After only one year in his “dream” job, FBI
orchestrated numerous high-volume arrests developed those skills, but honed them.”
some investigative matters on behalf of the Director Robert Mueller called him back to
and seized millions of dollars in proceeds. Last November, Austin came back to the Washington where he was first the deputy the opportunity
With success comes added responsibility College for a brown-bag lunch where he met agents.” Not only did the night shift give him
the foundation for his career, it also gave him assistant director for counterterrorism and
and in 1995 he became the executive with more than 30 graduate and under-
the opportunity to attend John Jay during the then assistant director — what some to attend
assistant to the associate special agent in graduate students, providing them with a
day. “It was a full life for me commuting back describe as the toughest job in the Bureau.
charge of the New York Drug Enforcement rare, first-hand glimpse of professional
Task Force, a collaboration among the DEA, opportunities in the DEA. and forth from Jersey, taking classes during “It was the most difficult, yet satisfying three John Jay during
the day, going to work at night.” He majored years. Throughout my 30 years with the FBI, I
the New York City Police Department and the
During his time with the DEA, he has had the most constant feeling of
New York State Police, where his duties in criminal justice and graduated in 1982.
accountability that I’ve ever experienced.
the day.
witnessed the evolution of numerous drugs Reflecting back on his college years, Billy
included managing intelligence initiatives.
trends. “When I first came on the job, the says, “It was a great experience, absolutely Every minute I was accountable for the
After a stint as supervisory special agent, in
groups we were investigating were involved tops. I particularly remember the courses I thousands of investigations that were going
1998, Austin became the group supervisor
in crack-cocaine. Now I don’t think crack- took with Professors of History Eli Faber and on around the U.S. and overseas.” His
for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
cocaine is the problem that it used to be Blanche Cook, and [retired] Professor of workday almost daily began at 3:00 AM and
that dismantled a notorious drug trafficking
he manages five organization that was plaguing public housing
almost a generation ago. I also believe that English Arthur Pfeffer. I was very fortunate to ended at 10:00 PM. “The President and the
there were offenders who matured out. But be taught by them.” National Security Council were very much
developments. Further promotions led to his
enforcement current position where he manages five
the crack-cocaine laws also had an impact.”
The Bureau requires a college education for
engaged with what we were doing. It was
Austin looks at the drug problem from a both challenging and enjoyable.”
enforcement groups who conduct domestic its special agents and after Billy graduated,
groups who and international drug investigations, money “macro level.” “Heroin and cocaine from he became eligible as a candidate. His first Billy believes that disrupting and dismantling
laundering and narco-terrorist cases. His sub- Columbia and South America continue to be assignment was in a small three-person office terrorism begins with the beat officer and the
a major focus in this office,” he said. “We curious citizen. He points to the Joint
conduct division has been responsible for the seizure in New London, CT at a time when the
Terrorism Task Force as “one of the real
of over $50 million in cash and financial have less of an issue with meth than they savings and loan scandal was underway. “It
instruments as well as over 3,500 kilograms have in the west, but we’re always on the was a tremendous learning experience. You crown jewels in the United States. It’s a
domestic and of cocaine. lookout. Money laundering over the last five marvelous platform that furnishes both
were really out there by yourself and you had
years has received greater attention than in to work relationships with other law connectivity and partnership. Countries
Austin says that much of the work done by
international DEA agents requires the ability to anticipate.
my entire career.” Still another troubling enforcement agencies.” His next stop was around the world wish they had the kind of
problem is the misuse of prescription and the New York Office where he developed his systems we have here.” New York City, he
“We don’t’ react to a crime, we have to
drug anticipate and prepare for it. We have to stay
over-the-counter drugs. “DEA has diversion national security expertise. He then joined the notes, “is a great example of collaboration
investigators whose primary responsibility is with local police. That’s why I think we are so
two steps ahead of the traffickers.” That’s
investigating the abuse of prescription drugs.
supervisory ranks in Washington. After
advanced when it comes to prevention.”
He is now
investigations, where his master’s degree from John Jay September 11, he was called back to New
We realize that the Internet has redefined the York to lead the Counterterrorism Division. At Prudential, a financial services leader with
comes in. “My John Jay education required vice president of
accessibility of prescription drugs and we After a few years, he became the special operations in the United States and overseas,
money me to see beyond what was immediately in
have done a number of major cases in the
front of me. It required me to think through agent in charge (SAC) of the Newark Office, a Billy’s responsibilities are similar to what he
problems and it allows me to address issues
New York Office.” Since September 11, position he describes as “the greatest did in the FBI. The transition to the private Global Security
laundering and with a much more critical thought process.
narco-terrorism is a high priority. Austin experience of my 30- year career. There I sector presented “no difficulty whatsoever.
Being in a management position, when you
noted, “Because we operate internationally, was back in same office where I delivered When you step from one organization that is for Prudential
narco-terrorist have so many things coming across your
DEA was global before the word ‘global’ was mail to some of the agents that I was now in mission-focused to another that has high
fashionable. We have agents in 87 offices in
desk, you have to be able to quickly assess
63 foreign countries. We even have agents
charge of.” ethical values and standards, it makes the Financial.
cases. what is important and what is not. I think that transition easy.”
permanently assigned to Afghanistan.”
24 25
Alumni Class Notes
Alumni Worth Noting
Babatunde I. Akowe, MPA ’07, is currently enrolled at Angel M. Espinal, BA ’08, completed the John Jay CO-OP program and
Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. graduated from the U.S. Marshals Service Basic Training Academy in May
Jeanique Green’s Jeanique Green (BS ’93) He expects to graduate in 2011. 2008. He is currently working in the District of Kansas.
Jeanique Green’s passion for public service Omar U. Alaji, BA ’95, received his master of science degree in systems Alan Feinstein, BS ’79, has spent 34 years in the law enforcement
passion for began when she took a Government 101 and network management from Golden Gate University in San Franciso, CA. profession. For the last 29 years, he has been with the Suffolk County
course at John Jay. “It was the most Police Department where he is currently a detective sergeant. He has
Alicia Aldrich, BA ’91, is currently living in Charleston, SC and working as
public service interesting class I had taken.” More courses a registered nurse on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at the Ralph H. Johnson
served in robbery, narcotics, fugitive-missing persons and precinct
detective squads as a supervisor. He is a graduate of the 203rd Session of
in government followed. But the decisive VA Medical Center.
the FBI National Academy.
began factor was her internship with the Black and
Laura Alegre, BA/MPA ’08, obtained a position with the Social Security
Puerto Rican Caucus of the New York State Leslie Gee, BS ’82, retired as a senior special agent with the Bureau of
Administration as a legal administrative specialist (benefit authorizer).
when she Legislature in Albany. That experience put Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He assisted in the investigation
Elaine (Cantaves) Barry, BA/MA ’82, recently completed her clinical of both attacks on the World Trade Center and served as an instuctor at the
her on the track to becoming commissioner
pastoral education training, with a specialization in hospice. She anticipates ATF Academy.
took a with the New York State Liquor Authority.
certification as a clinical pastoral counselor and clinical chaplain this spring.
Kristin E. (Reskow) Girardo, BA ’94, subsequently obtained a BS in
“The internship enabled me to put into
nursing and is now working for a large litigation firm as a legal nurse
Government 101 practice what I had learned in my senator’s name attached to the legislation. Bridget Bayliss, MA ’98, is now living in Northern Virginia and working for
consultant. She is currently based in Atlanta, GA.
the American Correctional Association in Alexandria, VA.
government courses.” Through the The important thing was that it was passed
course at internship, she met then Senator, now for the greater good. Since I’ve known him, Antoinette E. Blackman, AS ’07, is working as an inclusion Aviva Twersky Glasner, MA ’01, went on to earn a PhD in criminal justice
paraprofessional with the New York City Department of Education at the at the Graduate Center of CUNY in April of 2006. She is currently an
Governor David Patterson who nominated he has always had an overall policy of being
assistant professor of criminal justice at Bridgewater State College in
John Jay. her to the New York State Liquor Authority inclusive and it’s something I’ve tried to Bronx High School for the Visual Arts.
Massachusetts.
last June. “I would not have met him emulate throughout my career” — a career Julie Ann (Jimenez) Boyle, MA ’99, recently became a vocational
otherwise.” She worked for him as an intern that included working in the New York State rehabilitation counselor for the New Jersey Department of Labor, Division of Luz E. Gonzalez, BA ’06, a second-year evening law student at Hofstra
Vocational Rehabilitation Services. University School of Law, was named a 2008–2009 Executive Lt. Governor
and he subsequently hired her after she Attorney General’s Office and the New York
for the 2nd Circuit of the American Bar Association.
graduated in 1993. She went on to receive a Center for Alternative Sentencing and Joseph “Joe” Capobianco, BA ’98, was promoted to national sales
law degree from Albany Law School of Union Employment Services (CASES). manager at the YES Network. Prior to joining the YES Network, he was an Elizabeth A. Gray, BA ’85, graduated from Brookdale Community College
University, but realized that being a trial account executive at WPIX-TV in New York. in Lincroft, NJ with an AAS degree in nursing. She is now a registered nurse .
The New York State Liquor Authority is
attorney was not for her. responsible for overseeing the licensing of all Candi N. Green, BA ’02 & MPA ’07, whose specialization was criminal
Juan C. Carreras, BA ’07, is a territory manager responsible for the
“After the internship, I knew that I wanted to justice policy and analysis while attending John Jay, started a new position
establishments that sell or serve alcohol in marketing plans of over 100 accounts at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.
as a legal assistant in the United States Attorney’s Office.
be in government, particularly with the state New York State. “Right now we have about Diana M. Castro, BA ’08, is currently attending graduate school at the
legislature. I preferred to make an impact on 170 different types of licenses. New York law Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science, Alexandra D. Hampton, MA ’04, joined the United Nations after 10 years
the largest number of people I could and I felt is very specific and we do this licensing University of New Haven, CT. with the New York City Department of Investigation and is currently working
that government work would give me that in the Congo conducting investigations of crimes committed by U.N.
across the state for bars, taverns,
Davita J. Cook, BS ’05, is an entrepreneur and inventor. She started her personnel.
opportunity.” Working with David Patterson restaurants, clubs, grocery stores, own soft drink company, created “Topplez,” a fruit drink; invented and
gave her that opportunity. Greene served as breweries, liquor stores, etc. We have offices patented a special beverage container; conducted nutritional analyses of Stephen J. Heavey, BS ’05, a member of the New York City Fire
his legislative director for seven years, in New York City, Buffalo, Albany and the fruit juices; and even designed the product labels. Proud of her Department, was promoted to captain in November 2008.
working on a whole range of legislation Syracuse. Not only do we determine who accomplishment, she says, “thanks to my degree, the analytical approach
Luisa A. Hernandez, BS ’90, majored in legal studies. She worked as a
She is on track including health care, crime, transportation gets licenses, we also determine civil to problem solving helped me complete this project.”
Spanish language court interpreter for eight years before becoming a
and housing. “You start with nothing but an penalties for those establishments that are in Carl E. Cruz, BA ’04, is currently working for the New York City juvenile probation officer in Florida. She then earned a master’s degree in
to becoming idea. It could begin with a community group violation of their license such as an Administration for Children Services (ACS). counseling and psychology. After working several years as a counselor, she
who met with the senator concerning a decided that she preferred working in the criminal justice field and is now
establishment that is serving or selling
Germain Dearlove, BA ’07, is serving as a police officer for the City of working as a probation officer in New Jersey and “really enjoys it.”
commissioner problem they were encountering with a state alcohol to someone who is underage.” Atlanta, GA.
agency. I would do a lot of research, With thousands of establishments and only Hyda D. Hernandez, BS ’87, a decorated New York City police officer,
Aleksandr Dvoskin, MA ’08, recently joined the ranks of the U.S.
with the New including legal research. Once the 200 enforcement officers statewide, it’s a Department of Justice.
retired after 20 years on the force. She is the mother of five and is currently
a financial consultant with First Investors Corporation.
“legaleeze” was correct, I was responsible big task. But, the Authority does get help
York State for introducing it on behalf of the senator so from local police throughout the state. “It’s a Denise Elkin-Andrews, BS ’75, attended John Jay from 1972–1975 and Cassandra Jean-Baptiste, MA ’08, is working full-time as a applied
other members could sign on to it. great relationship, especially in New York City
worked in the library during that time. She says, “I am very grateful to the behavioral science specialist with an agency that serves the mentally
Unfortunately, we were in the minority at the teachers, my peers and the library staff.” She became a police officer in challenged.
Liquor where officers from the precincts are out Florida and retired after 25 years at the age of 46.
time, but luckily, some members of the there all the time. They often refer
majority picked it up. Not all the time was the
Authority. complaints to us and serve as witnesses.”
26 27
Alumni Class Notes
Meghan M. Lennon, BA ’04, recently transitioned from working as a Irma Ramos, BA ’03, obtained a position as secretary to several Family
victim advocate for the YWCA to a forensic interviewer position with the Court judges in Bronx County with the New York State Unified Court
Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County in Portsmouth, NH. System. One of the many benefits, she says, “is being able walk to work!
Dreams do come true when you are an alumna!”
Edith Linn, MA ’82, has written a new book, Arrest Decisions: What
Works for the Officer? (Peter Lang Publishing). It is based on her doctoral Michael A. Reddington, AS ‘04, is a 20-year veteran of the NYPD where
research (PhD 2004 from CUNY) about how the personal lives of NYPD he is a detective investigator in the Organized Crime Control Bureau in the
officers affect their arrest decisions. She is currently a professor of justice Bronx. He is also an active Navy reservist who was called to active duty last
studies at Berkeley College in Manhattan and would love to hear from old June and is serving as a master-at-arms 2nd class with the 1st Army in
John Jay friends! Bagram, Afghanistan.
Gregory I. Mack, MA ’91, retired from NYPD in December 2007 and now Tony Reed, BS ‘86, a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), now
works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Mack recently led a serves as assistant director of construction in the Office of Contracting and
workshop, “Hero or Malingerer: The Forensic Evaluation of Police Officers Procurement (OCP) for the District of Columbia. He was appointed to this
Involved In Critical Incidents,” at the 115th Annual International Association position in October 2008.
of Chiefs of Police Conference and Exposition in San Diego, CA.
Damon E. Rice, BS ‘99, is a special agent with the U.S. Department of
Amy S. Mangione, BA ’04, received a JD from Quinnipiac University State, Diplomatic Security Service. From 2005 to 2007 he worked as an
School of Law in Hamden, CT in May 2008. She successfully passed the assistant regional security officer at the American Embassy in Nairobi,
bar exams in both Connecticut and New York in July. Kenya. Currently, he is working at the American Embassy in Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
Liz Martinez, BA ’97, has two anthologies coming out this year that she
co-edited with award-winning writer Sarah Cortez. One is Hit List: The Kelly Root, MA ’05, is a substance abuse counselor with a non-profit
Latino Mystery Reader (Arte Publico Press), a collection of mystery short organization in Detroit, Michigan. She conducts group, didactics, and
stories by Latino writers. The other is Indian Country Noir (Akashic Books), individual therapy sessions for recovering addicts and alcoholics. She says,
a collection of short stories about Native Americans, (Akashic Books) in “I love it! I would recommend John Jay to anyone interested in psychology,
which her own short story, “Prowling Wolves,” appears. Since 2007, she law, or criminal justice. I hope to one day return for my PhD.”
has been working as a senior investigator with the New York State
Jermel L. Singleton, BS ’05, is a financial representative for
Department of Education’s Office of Professional Discipline.
Northwestern Mutual in New York.
Delana K. Mendes, BS ’08, is currently employed with Target Corporation
Carmen R. Velasquez, BA ’84, was inducted as a Judge for the Civil
as a protection specialist working in the Asset Protection Department. She
Court of Queens County last December.
credits her criminal justice background from John Jay for the position. “They
were ecstatic to hire me and I look forward to continued promotion.” Dennis L. Weiner, BS ’92, retired as police chief in May 2008 from the
Centre Island Police Department in Nassau County, NY. He then accepted
Gary Miller, BA ’82, a photographer for the New York Post, was awarded
the chief of police position with the Town of Juno Beach, FL in July 2008.
the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in Photography by the New York
Association of Black Journalists. Philip B. Weiss, MPA ’05, was promoted to captain in the Emergency
Medical Service Bureau of the New York City Fire Department.
Daniel V. Minor, BS ’08, is currently working as a police officer for the
Richmond, VA Police Department. Jermaine Wright, MPA ’06, was recently named as associate director of
the City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI). Prior to
PLANNED GIVING
Melinda S. Molina, BS ’98, joined St. John’s University School of Law as a
becoming the CUNY BMI associate director, she worked at the National
research professor. She teaches criminal law and a seminar on “Latinos in
Urban League as a program manager for the Urban Youth Empowerment Everyone can play a part in the future of the College, especially in ensuring the success of future programs
the Law.” She is also conducting research on the lives of Latino lawyers.
Program. and activities.
Albert Noa, BS ’75, is retired from law enforcement and the private
investigation field.
Marvin S. Yearwood, BA ’04, recently completed more than two years in A bequest to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Foundation, Inc. will contribute significantly and forever,
the U.S. Navy and is now stationed on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN74) as either toward the John Jay Endowment Fund or in support of a particular program, lectureship or scholarship fund.
Celide Ortiz, BS ’06, was promoted to the executive ranks after working a qualified air warfare specialist.
one year at Montefiore Medical Center. She has also been accepted into the When formulating your bequest, the following wording is suggested:
Alesia Yezerskaya, BA ’06, is working at the Bank Street College of
MPA program at Marist College.
Education.
I give and bequeath to John Jay College of Criminal Justice foundation,
Rebecca E. Paul, BA ’07, is a court liaison and case manager working
with felony drug offenders. In April 2008 she gave birth to a “beautiful baby
Jay L. Zwicker, BS ’77, was recently promoted to assistant director of inc., New York, NY, $________ to be added to the principal of the John Jay
public safety at New York University.
girl named Chloe Jade who is happy, energetic, and bouncy!” She hopes to Endowment Fund, the income to be credited each year in my name.
evenually pursue a master’s degree.
It is as simple as that, and just imagine what your gift will provide for future generations of students who follow
Hillary Potter, MA ’96, has written Battle Cries: Black Women and Intimate
Partner Abuse (New York University Press.) She is currently an assistant
in your footsteps.
professor of sociology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
28 29
John Jay College
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Campus expansion project (Phase II) construction site on March 13, 2009.