Alex Spiro

Innovators Rethinking Criminal Justice Systems | Global Conference 2024

Zack Carpenter, Baz Dreisinger, Hilton Freund, Jessica Hicklin, Teresa Hodge, Ari Melber, Alex Spiro

Global and domestic speakers including Jessica Hicklin, Theresa Hodge, and Dr. Baz convened to address the $250 billion U.S. criminal justice crisis and its disproportionate impact on racial minorities and the 50% rise in female incarceration worldwide. These innovators argued that data-driven reforms, such as implementing earned-time credits and sport-based skill building, could prevent 350,000 years of unnecessary incarceration while addressing a projected 22 million worker shortage in the energy sector. Despite significant barriers like funding mismatches and political volatility, the event emphasized shifting from "second chances" to "first chances" to leverage the 95% of released prisoners who will integrate into the workforce.