Two Bard Prison Initiative Alumni Publish in The Imprint
L-R: Reggie Chatman ’21 and José Perez ’13.
Bard Prison Initiative alumni José Perez ’13 and Reggie Chatman ’21 published an opinion piece in The Imprint discussing the public health impact of youth incarceration. Referencing their own experience being children charged as adults, they write, “the courts decided who we were before we could even become ourselves.” Many children enter the prison system with trauma, which is compounded by physical and mental injuries sustained in prison, they argue. “Years later, we still carry injuries, delayed diagnoses, deep distrust of medical systems and post-traumatic stress. Our families and communities carry that burden too.” Perez and Chatman call on the New York state legislature to support the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act, which would create a new “young adult” legal status and limit excessive sentencing. “Policy helped create this crisis, and policy can dismantle it,” they conclude.
The Bard Prison Initiative is a full time, tuition free program dedicated to education access in prison. Students enroll in Bard College AA, BA, and MA degrees that span the liberal arts and enrich their writing, reading, knowledge, and thinking.
Post Date: 03-17-2026
The Bard Prison Initiative is a full time, tuition free program dedicated to education access in prison. Students enroll in Bard College AA, BA, and MA degrees that span the liberal arts and enrich their writing, reading, knowledge, and thinking.
Post Date: 03-17-2026