New York City has established a program that allows people arrested for minor offenses such as fare beating, painting graffiti, shoplifting, and trespassing to avoid jail by taking a two-hour course at the Brooklyn Museum. After the course, the cases would be dismissed, and no criminal court record is registered. The program, called Project Reset, has shown an improved view of criminal justice agencies, as Hyperallergic detailed:
“It’s about holding people accountable, but doing it in ways that promote human dignity,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez at a press conference at the Brooklyn Museum on October 21. “It requires individuals to view and discuss a piece of art with people they don’t know,” he added. “They’re asked to create their own art, to think and find meaning in that art.”
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