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Harlem Assembly Candidate Advocates Treatment Programs Over Prison for Violent Crimes
Conrad Blackburn, a public defender seeking the Democratic nomination for a Harlem Assembly seat, stated in podcast appearances that convicted rapists, child molesters, and murderers should receive treatment programs or community supervision rather than prison sentences. Blackburn is running against incumbent Assemblyman Jordan Wright with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America.
May 23, 8:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Conrad Blackburn, a staff lawyer at the Bronx Defenders nonprofit and a Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate, said during a March 2024 podcast that prison sentences do not match the harm caused by serious crimes. "Even if, like, the client is guilty as f–king sin, I still don’t think that the punishment, like, meets what happened," Blackburn said on the "Brothers In Law" podcast.
" In a March 2025 episode, Blackburn suggested that individuals who kill bystanders in gang disputes should receive "community supervision" and classes instead of incarceration. He and co-hosts also encouraged "prison abolitionists" to serve on juries and vote to acquit regardless of evidence.
Blackburn is challenging first-term Assemblyman Jordan Wright in the 70th Assembly District. " Reverend Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardener of Memorial Baptist Church stated that Blackburn’s approach would make the criminal justice system "even worse" for Black and Brown families. " Blackburn declined to comment on the coverage.
In a January 2025 podcast episode, Blackburn said public support for abolishing police exceeds support for abolishing prisons. He described prison abolition as an idea that needs better packaging to gain wider acceptance.
