U-M campus to host criminal justice programs

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

The Criminal Justice Program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn will present “Diversity and Justice: Conversations during Criminal Justice Month,” with three programs held March 2, 3 and 4, from 6-8:30 each evening in the Social Science Building Auditorium. The programs will be introduced by Chancellor Daniel Little and by Dr. Donald Shelton, director of the Criminal Justice Program and a retired Washtenaw County Trial Court judge.

“The speakers are nationally and locally known experts and advocates concerning some of the most important current issues facing our criminal justice system and indeed our society,” Shelton says. “Recent high profile incidents in Missouri, New York and throughout the country have demonstrated that many people perceive our criminal justice system as uncaring at best and abusive at worst when it comes to minority citizens. These symposia bring together experts and advocates to discuss that situation. It is important for all of us to participate in those discussions.”

The Monday, March 2 symposium, “Criminal Justice and Race,” will be moderated by Dr. Ahmad Rahman from the University of Detroit Mercy faculty. Panelists include Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy; Michigan ACLU attorney Mark Fancher; civil rights attorney Geoffrey Fieger; and U-M Professor of Sociology Dr. Alford Young.

Dr. Sally Howell from UMD will moderate the Tuesday, March 3 symposium, “Criminal Justice and the Arab-American Community,” featuring panelists Barbara McQuade from the U.S. Attorney’s office; Fatina Abdrabboh, Director, Michigan Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; Dearborn Heights District Judge David Turfe; and Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad.

The series wraps up on Wednesday, March 4 with “Criminal Justice, Gender and Sexuality,” moderated by UMD faculty member Dr. Francine Banner. The panelists will be former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly; New York police misconduct attorney Andrea Ritchie; Deborah LaBelle, an attorney for women and children in prison; and Yvonne Siferd, and attorney with Equality Michigan.