John Koufos: Criminal Justice Reform: Preventing Tomorrow’s Victims

In this frank, in-depth conversation, criminal justice advocate John Koufos recounts his personal relationship with the criminal justice system – first as the son of an incarcerated father, then as a high-powered lawyer in New Jersey, and later through his own experience with alcoholism and incarceration. 

Hear him discuss his ongoing justice reform work, beginning with the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, into the Texas-based Safe Streets & Second Chances program, to helping pass common-sense criminal justice reform laws in several states, to his involvement with both the Obama and Trump administrations…all of which culminated with the passing of the bi-partisan First Step Act of 2018, which he calls “by far the most consequential piece of criminal justice legislation in 30 years.”  

And learn about his current initiatives, including a clemency project with criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson, a collaboration with Florida State University and Wellbeing Equity on the topic of second-chance hiring, as well as his work to create healthier pathways for people coming out of incarceration. 

John Koufos is the National Director of Reentry Initiatives at Right on Crime and the Executive Director of Safe Streets & Second Chances. John’s reentry work has been recognized by former President Donald J. Trump, and he works with the public and private sector to build partnerships designed to lead to better employment outcomes and safer communities. He is a regular speaker on criminal justice, healthcare and workforce development, and helps cities, states, and the federal government to optimize reentry systems.