The Osborne Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and supporting individuals affected by incarceration. The organization reaches over 18,000 individuals annually,  providing direct services to those impacted by the criminal justice system.  Osborne's policy arm, the Osborne Center for Justice Across Generations (OCJAG), advocates for a wide range of city and state legislative priorities, working to build a criminal legal system that promotes healing, safety, and accountability, while reducing reliance on punitive approaches to justice. One of OCJAG's advocacy priorities is the human and economic costs of parole denials, particularly for individuals incarcerated years or decades beyond their minimum sentence dates in New York State. 

This capstone project addresses an opportunity to explore the broader implications of parole practices and identify policy solutions to mitigate these impacts. While parole denials are often justified as necessary for public safety, this project seeks to explore the real-world impacts of repeated denials on individuals, families, communities, and taxpayers. OCJAG has a state-wide platform and long-standing partners for influencing parole policies. However, OCJAG's limited staff capacity has presented a challenge in terms of developing and investigating data on the consequences of parole denials. The project will leverage student expertise to conduct thorough research and analysis, generating evidence-based recommendations to drive policy change.  

Students will conduct a comprehensive research project, beginning with collection and analysis of parole and correctional data to examine how repeated denials can contribute to prolonged trauma, deteriorating health, family separation, financial instability, and barriers to successful reentry.  At the heart of the project are the voices and experiences of people directly impacted by parole decisions.  Students will have the opportunity to draw from transcripts of previous interviews with formerly incarcerated people, as well as to design and conduct additional interviews with formerly incarcerated people and their family members.  The project will then move to synthesizing findings into accessible public-facing products, such as policy briefs, fact sheets, and webinars. This phased approach ensures a thorough understanding of the issue and its broader implications, allowing students to develop actionable insights and recommendations for the Osborne Association, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

This project is offers a meaningful opportunity to engage with a pressing social issue while honing research, policy analysis, qualitative and quantitative data analytics, and advocacy skills. By working on a real-world challenge, students will gain valuable experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications, preparing them for future careers in public administration and nonprofit management. Students will have the chance to apply their analytical and communication skills in a practical setting, contributing to meaningful change in the criminal justice system. This project not only enhances academic learning but also empowers students to make a tangible impact in addressing systemic issues and advancing equity and justice.