The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: Criminal Justice Reform
Oct 9, 2025
Michael Tannousis, a Republican New York State Assembly member and former prosecutor, discusses the implications of bail reform on public safety. Insha Rahman, advocating for criminal justice reform at the Vera Institute, counters with insights on alternatives to policing and the impacts of the pandemic on crime rates. They debate proposals from mayoral candidates, including a Community Safety Department and strategies to reduce recidivism. This dynamic dialogue highlights the complexities of reforming New York's criminal justice system.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bail Reform Sparked The Debate
- The 2019 bail reform removed money as the primary determinant for pretrial detention for many low-level offenses.
- That change sparked political and public safety debates about judges' discretion and community safety.
Prosecutor's Story Of Frustration
- Michael Tannousis recounts prosecutorial frustration when judges couldn't detain dangerous defendants due to bail reform.
- He says officers question making arrests if suspects will be quickly released before paperwork is done.
Bail Reform As Justice Correction
- Insha Rahman frames bail reform as correcting wealth-based injustice in pretrial detention.
- She emphasizes the law added non-monetary options like pretrial services rather than removing judicial authority.