AOT Testifies at NYC Criminal Justice Committee Budget Hearing

March 24, 2026 | New York City

On March 24, 2026, AOT Founder & Executive Director Vidal Guzman testified before the New York City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee during its Preliminary Budget Hearing.

Drawing from his lived experience with Rikers Island, Vidal called on the City to reduce its reliance on incarceration and invest more resources in communities impacted by the criminal justice system.

His testimony emphasized the need to invest in education, employment, technology, mental health services, housing stability, and violence prevention, particularly for young people.

As New York City moves toward closing Rikers, Vidal urged leaders to ensure that closing the facility represents a meaningful shift from punishment toward prevention, opportunity, and community healing