By transforming the process of criminal court in Brooklyn, New York, the program helps people avoid the harmful effects of incarceration while connecting them to services for a variety of needs. It provides meaningful pathways out of the justice system, supervised release for people awaiting trial, and alternatives to typical sentences like prison.
It provides meaningful pathways out of the justice system, supervised release for people awaiting trial, and alternatives to typical sentences like prison.
Operating out of Brooklyn Criminal Court on Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is staffed by a team of social workers, case managers, and court liaisons. We aim to use an arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of an individual’s life and prevent unnecessary incarceration.
The Project Reset team at Brooklyn Justice Initiatives distributing resources to a community member while tabling at Coney Island’s National Night Out in 2022.
The team working to brighten a community garden with program participants on National Gardening Day in 2021.
The Brooklyn Justice Initiatives team gathered at Brooklyn Bridge Park for the National Night Out in 2019, getting ready to serve the community.
“My favorite part of this experience was just feeling comfortable enough to talk
about everything instead of holding things in like I usually do. It felt nice to talk to
someone who also understood me.””
BJI ATI Exit Survey
“I would just like to thank Brooklyn Justice Initiatives for helping me so much, especially through the dark time I was experiencing. It shows how much NYC is changing when it comes to crime and punishment.””
BJI ATI Exit Survey
2024 in Review
2,000
people were referred to Brooklyn Justice Initiatives’ Alternatives to Incarceration programs
95%
of people referred to the program went through with intake
Black History Is Now: Reflecting on a Life of Service
This Black History Month, Case Manager Gina Bijou reflects on what it means to pay it forward in her work with participants in our Brooklyn Supervised Release Program.
