AGENCY TESTIMONY
Helen Skipper's testimony on the importance of lived experience in reforming correctional institutions
0:54:40
·
105 sec
Helen Skipper, a nominee for the NYC Board of Corrections, emphasizes the importance of including individuals with lived experience in the process of reforming correctional institutions. She stresses the need for humane treatment and adherence to minimum standards in the care and custody of incarcerated individuals.
- Skipper highlights the value of translating lived experience into professional expertise
- She calls for New York City to be at the forefront of caring for people in correctional institutions
- The nominee advocates for going beyond minimum standards in the treatment of incarcerated individuals
Helen Skipper
0:54:40
Thank you.
0:54:41
So forgive me.
0:54:43
I did not prepare an opening statement.
0:54:46
I'm gonna miss the preparing for a 500 person conference tomorrow, and time is really running past me, but I wanna thank you for even having me sit up here as a person with lived experience it is imperative that as we begin to look at how we transform and reform these these institutions that we reflect on the fact that those of us who have been through these institutions who have been in this confinement who have lived through these these experiences, haven't seated the table as we look at the transformation and reformation.
0:55:27
It is also imperative that we as a people, as representatives of New York City, that we make sure that the care custody control of those who are under our purview are done justly or done humanely.
0:55:43
And adhere to minimum standards.
0:55:45
And I also believe it is important for the city of New York to not just rest on the fact that minimum standards must be met, but that we should be the forefront in this nation.
0:55:59
On how we care for people who are in cultural institutions and how we reflect and move on what we should do moving forward.
0:56:11
Again, I just would really again, like to extend my things.
0:56:14
Again, lived experience that has been translated to professional lift expertise.
0:56:20
Sometimes it's in short supply of who we stand at the ready.