Month: April 2017

Legal Action Center Pushes for Better ATI and Reentry Programming

Arthur Liman Policy Institute pic
Legal Action Center
Image: lac.org

Since 1993, Sharyn O’Halloran has taught at Columbia University as the George Blumenthal Professor of Political Economics. When not working, Sharyn O’Halloran supports several local organizations, such as the Legal Action Center (LAC). This nonprofit advocates on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS, criminal records, and struggles with addiction.

Recently, the LAC filed a position paper pushing for better alternative-to-incarceration (ATI) and reentry programs. New York State has become nationally renowned for its programs, which have helped saved millions of dollars while also reducing prison populations and curbing crime rates. Historically, these programs have received strong bipartisan support.

The LAC paper calls for the restoration of more than $2 million in funding cuts from these programs in the Executive Budget and actually seeks additional money to strengthen the effort. This funding could help provide critical addiction and mental illness treatment, offer skills training to improve individuals’ ability to find and retain employment, and create new avenues for reconnecting with families and for finding permanent housing after involvement with the criminal justice system.

2017 TCS New York City Marathon Awards 16,211 Bibs to Registrants

New York City Marathon
Image: tcsnycmarathon.org

A graduate of the University of California at San Diego’s doctoral program, Sharyn O’Halloran works as the George Blumenthal Professor of Political Economy and a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University in New York City. An avid runner, Sharyn O’Halloran participates in numerous races. In early 2017, received acceptance into the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon.

When the first New York City Marathon began in 1970, runners raced entirely in Central Park. Participants paid $1 to enter the race, and winners received inexpensive wristwatches as well as recycled bowling and baseball trophies. Six years later, the race expanded its route to include the area’s five boroughs. Since then, the marathon has grown in number of runners and partnerships, including a collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which joined the efforts in 2014.

In March 2017, runners found out if they were selected to run in the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon, scheduled for November 5. As the world’s largest marathon, it received the largest number of registrations in its history with 98,247. This represents a 20 percent increase compared to 2016. Of those who entered, 17 percent, equal to 16,211 runners, received a bib through a drawing. An additional 34,000 runners will garner entrance through other means, including running on behalf of a charity, achieving a qualifying time at a sanctioned race, or finishing nine New York Road Runner races and volunteering at one in a one-year span.