New York Times Staff Writer Emily Bazelon Gives Talk on Criminal Justice Reform

Prominent journalist and author Emily Bazelon visited Bryn Mawr College earlier this month to give a talk as part of Bryn Mawr’s “Voice” speaker series.

While Bazelon is probably best known for her 2013 book on bullying, Sticks and Stones, her recent writing investigating the U.S. criminal justice system covers topics as diverse as capital punishment, prostitution, and imprisonment.

Given in the concise yet detailed style of a journalist, Bazelon’s talk focused on the nearly unchecked power of prosecutors and how that power has contributed to the country’s mass incarceration problem.

Although she only made passing references to the Presidential election, Bazelon cited other recent political developments, such as the ousting of Florida prosecutor Angela Corey, as cause for optimism in 2017.

The talk was something of a homecoming for Bazelon, who is a Philadelphia native and the daughter of Bryn Mawr and Haverford alums.

Upcoming events in the “Voice” series can be found here