100 Local Leaders Discuss Recidivism at Second Annual Courtroom to Classroom Summit

Spring Valley, New York – Justice David Fried of the Spring Valley Justice Court announces that 100 local leaders gathered yesterday at the Louis Kurtz Civic Center in Spring Valley for his second annual Courtroom to Classroom Judicial Summit. This year’s summit was co-hosted by Justice Fried, Sheriff Louis Falco III, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee and featured keynote speaker Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey. The group focused this year’s summit on establishing a strong partnership between the not-for-profit community and the criminal justice system.

“The best way to prevent the serious crimes of tomorrow is to intervene today,” said Justice Fried. “With the high costs of incarceration and the impacts on personal productivity that result from the blemish of a criminal record, it is incumbent upon the criminal justice system to ensure that we reduce the high rate of recidivism that we have in our county. A person’s first time in criminal court must also be there last.”

Sheriff Louis Falco III said, “Nearly 1,900 inmates came into the county jail more than once last year. It is a priority of the Sheriff’s Office to work closely with the community and law enforcement to reduce this unacceptably high percentage of recidivist defendants. The professionals in our corrections division focus strong efforts on helping people get back on the right track.”

Justice Fried told the audience yesterday that his court regularly partners with not-for-profit agencies to help defendants access substance abuse treatment, housing placement, higher educational opportunities, and job training. He explained, “The services provided by the not-for-profits in this county help defendants begin a more positive and productive life.”

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee discussed the federal and state perspectives on these issues and also provided necessary information on how to seek resources to support such initiatives.