The NYC Justice Corps brings young adults involved with the criminal justice system together with their communities to identify and address unmet community needs. Through meaningful and reparative service to their communities, internships, and job and educational opportunities, the NYC Justice Corps provides Corps members with practical skills, social support and leadership training. By actively partnering with the NYC Justice Corps, communities own the success and reintegration of their young people as contributing members of society. The NYC Justice Corps aims to improve the education and employment outcomes of Corps members, keep them out of the criminal justice system, and support community development in specific New York City communities.
Back to TopThe main goals of the NYC Justice Corps are to reduce recidivism; reduce poverty, increase self-sufficiency; and empower communities throughout New York City. Additionally, the Justice Corps seeks to repair the relationship between young adults involved with the criminal justice system and their communities.
Back to TopTo be eligible, Corps members must be: (1) 18-24 years of age; (2) reside in one of the target communities (Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn or the South Bronx); and (3) currently be on probation or parole, released from jail or prison within the last year, or currently or within the last year participated in an alternative-to-incarceration (ATI) program.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps is a six-month commitment and Corps members should be available to participate in the full program schedule, which operates Monday through Friday for 35 hours per week. Corps members are expected to meet attendance and participation requirements, including tasks related to their individual development, group projects, and internship assignments.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps provides the following opportunities to Corps members throughout the six months of their participation in the Justice Corps:
The City of New York selected the neighborhoods of the South Bronx and Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, both areas of high incarceration and poverty, to launch the NYC Justice Corps. If the initiative proves successful and additional funding can be secured, the NYC Justice Corps will expand to additional neighborhoods in New York City.
Back to TopYou may refer a potential Corps member by contacting your local NYC Justice Corps.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps launched in September 2008 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and in October 2008 in the South Bronx.
Back to TopCorps members receive stipends of $7.15-$8.40 an hour for participating in the Justice Corps 35 hours per week. Corps members who already have a GED or high school diploma may receive a higher rate than those without a GED or high school diploma. As Corps members advance through the Corps they may be eligible for an increase in the amount of their stipend.
Back to TopYoung adults interested in joining are referred to the NYC Justice Corps by a host of agencies including: the New York State Division of Parole, the New York City Departments of Correction and Probation, alternative to incarceration (ATI) program, and community members. Individuals interested in enrolling in the Justice Corps can sign up without a formal referral. If you are eligible and want to be a NYC Justice Corps member, contact the site in your borough.
Back to TopCommunity benefit service projects (CBSPs) provide Corps members the opportunity to directly contribute to the development of and repair relationships with their communities. Corps members help select projects they will work on by conducting a community needs assessment to identify unmet needs in their communities. A Community Advisory Board (CAB) comprised of elected officials, faith-based and community leaders identifies potential projects. After Corps members have fully scoped potential projects, they present their ideas to the Community Advisory Board to obtain approval to move forward.
To be eligible, CBSPs must:Corps members have completed weatherization work to improve the energy efficiency of residences, and reduce utility costs for their fellow community members; renovated and beautified public spaces to support the economic development of their communities; and created an anti-violence mural meant to deter community members from perpetuating cycles of violence, incarceration and reentry. Through community benefit project service Corps members demonstrate their interest in promoting public safety and contributing to the development of their community.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps is an excellent way to increase your organization's capacity at minimal cost by hosting Justice Corps interns for six to eight weeks. While placed in their internships, Justice Corps interns receive ongoing support and earn an hourly stipend paid by the NYC Justice Corps.
The NYC Justice Corps provides its employer partners with the following benefits and services:NYC Justice Corps graduates also receive retention support services after being placed in jobs. These wrap-around services are a win-win for employers and employees. Additionally, employers who hire individuals with criminal records may be eligible for a number of other financial incentives.
Back to TopEmployers who hire individuals with criminal records may be eligible for a number of financial incentives, including:
Work Opportunity Tax Credits provide employee who hire individuals convicted of a felony with a federal income tax liability for up to $2,400 per qualified new employee. To learn more, click here.
Empire Zone and Zone Equivalent Area Tax Credits are applied against a business's state tax liability. Employers may be eligible for $1,500-$3,000 for up to five consecutive years, beginning with the first tax year in which Empire Zone wages are paid. To learn more, click here.
The Federal Bonding Program provides individual fidelity bonds of $5,000 to employers at no cost for six months insuring employers against employee dishonesty or theft. To learn more about the Federal Bonding Program, click here.
Contact the site in your borough.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps had a first year operating budget of $4.3 million which includes the costs of providing stipends to Corps members.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps is sponsored by the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity, created by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to implement innovative ways to reduce poverty in New York City. The Center for Economic Opportunity works with City agencies to design and implement evidence-based initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, and manages an Innovation Fund through which it provides City agencies annual funding to implement such initiatives.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps is a collaborative project led by local government in close partnership with private community service providers. The City University of New York - through John Jay College of Criminal Justice - oversees all contracts. In partnership with the NYC Department of Correction, John Jay College provides policy direction and program development support. The Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and the Phipps Community Development Corporation provide direct services in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and the South Bronx, respectively. The Center for Employment Opportunities provides technical assistance and capacity building to these two community-based organizations. Westat, Inc., in partnership with Metis Associates, is conducting the implementation and outcome evaluations of the NYC Justice Corps.
Back to TopFor information on how to enroll an eligible young adult or to partner on a community benefit service project, host a Justice Corps intern or hire Justice Corps graduate, or to find out about volunteer opportunities, please view the Contact page.
Back to TopThe NYC Justice Corps is being rigorously evaluated by the independent research firm Westat Inc., in partnership with Metis Associates. The evaluation will measure the effectiveness of a range of intended impacts for multiple stakeholders - Justice Corps graduates, target communities, and the community-based organizations. Intended outcomes for Corps graduates include a decrease in rearrest and reconviction and increased labor market prospects. Results for the target communities include enhanced ability to reintegrate young adults who are formerly incarcerated and lasting, visible improvement resulting from community benefit projects. Outcomes for the community-based organizations include improved staff capacity and an increased capacity to provide services to young adults returning to the community.
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