Q&A with featured speakers in advance of Criminal Justice’s ‘Corrections: Myth v. Reality’ series

This fall, Buffalo State’s Criminal Justice Department will host weekly guest speakers—all of whom work in the field of corrections—for a series entitled “Corrections: Myth v. Reality,” which seeks to debunk misperceptions about the corrections field.

“The field of corrections is very misunderstood,” said Jill D’Angelo, associate professor of criminal justice. “It is time to shed some light on what really happens in all areas of corrections.”

The series kicks off on September 16 with Deanna Quinn Miller, author, spokesperson and director of the Forgotten Victims of Attica; and retired newspaper reporter Gary Craig; and concludes on October 21 with keynote speaker, teacher, and New York Times bestselling author Ted Conover. Other speakers include representatives from the Osborne Association, one of New York State’s largest providers of direct services for people impacted by incarceration; staff members and clients from Peaceprints of WNY, a non-profit organization offering comprehensive reentry services to men and women involved in the criminal justice system; former inmate Corey McCarthy, who is also a board member of Peaceprints of WNY and a member of the corrections special advisory board for Erie County jails; and Andy Prinzing of the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition.

Prinzing’s speaking engagement is part of the Anne Frank Project Social Justice Festival, a two-day celebration of stories from multiple disciplines includes workshops, performances, and art exhibits that challenge, teach, and explore diverse social and personal justice topics. This year’s festival takes place October 8 and 9, and the theme is “Belonging.”

“This series invites speakers from diverse perspectives, including offenders, victims’ family members, reporters, and individuals working in various areas of the correctional system,” added Jawjeong Wu, associate professor of criminal justice. “Attendees will hear a range of insider voices and gain insight into how those involved in American corrections impact—or are impacted by—others.”

We caught up with a few speakers in advance of their appearances at Buffalo State.

Ted Conover (keynote speaker), professor, author, and journalist

Buffalo State University: Why were you inspired to participate in this speaker series?
Ted Conover: I love coming to Buffalo and I’m old friends with Jill D’Angelo. When she told me the subject of this series, I thought we’d be a good fit.

BSU: How would you describe your work to someone who is unfamiliar with it?
TC: As a journalist, I place myself in challenging situations to learn about them. I’m best known for spending almost a year as a New York State correction officer at Sing Sing prison for my book Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing.

BSU: What can attendees expect to learn/experience from your speaking engagement?
TC: I know I’m in competition with your phones, but I aim to win!

Andy Prinzing, Director of Training; Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition

Buffalo State University: Why were you inspired to participate in this speaker series?
Andy Prinzing: ECRJC has worked with Buffalo State since its beginning in 2012. Restorative Practices are about addressing harm—both individual and systemic—and healing people and communities when harm occurs. As an organization, we see ourselves working along with Buffalo State and other organizations in Western New York to build stronger communities. 

BSU: How would you describe your work to someone who is unfamiliar with it?
AP: ECRJC provides training and direct services in Restorative Practices. We train people to do this work. Last year, we trained 80 resident assistants at Buffalo State. ECRJC also takes referrals from the community for serious incidents of harm—car theft, property damage, family conflicts, and school suspensions. This year, we are excited to be coordinating Racial Healing Circles in Buffalo through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. 

BSU: What can attendees expect to learn/experience from your speaking engagement?
AP: The one-hour presentation will include a short presentation about the indigenous roots of Restorative Practices and a guided experience of facilitating a Community Building Circle.

Deanna Quinn Miller, author, spokesperson and director of the Forgotten Victims of Attica and Gary Craig, retired newspaper reporter

Buffalo State: How would you describe your work to someone who is unfamiliar with it?
Deanna Quinn Miller: For the past 11 years, I have been the program coordinator for the New York State Defenders Association Veteran’s Defense Program. I was previously the Executive Director of Genesee Veterans Support Network (GVSN) in Genesee County. In 2021, my memoir, The Prison Guard’s Daughter, My Journey through the Ashes of Attica was co-authored by Democrat & Chronicle writer Gary Craig and published by Diversion Books. My memoir is an intense and personal look into growing up in the shadow of my father’s murder by inmates during the Attica Riot of 1971 at age five in the small town. Together with a newly formed group called the Forgotten Victims of Attica (FVOA), which represented all 53 NYS employees and their families, we were able to seek the truth and expose the state’s cover up, settling with the state in 2004 for $12 million dollars.

Gary Craig: I recently retired after 45 years as a newspaper reporter, most recently with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle’s investigative team. I worked at Rochester newspapers since 1990, covering City Hall, politics and federal courts before joining the newspaper’s investigative team. I am the recipient of more than two dozen state, regional and national awards for writing and investigative reporting, including past stories on wrongful convictions. Among the awards are honors from Investigative Reporters and Editors, a national investigative reporters’ organization, and the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, for my reporting on indigent defense.

BSU: What can attendees expect to learn/experience from your speaking engagement?
DQM and GC: This will be a free-form presentation reviewing the history of the riot, political and social factors, and personal storytelling with a hope to connect with the audience. We encourage thoughtful questions during the presentation.

Corrections: Myth vs. Reality Speaker Series Schedule

• Deanna Quinn Miller and Gary Craig, Tuesday, September 16 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 423
• Corey McCarthy, Thursday, September 25 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 423
• Osborne Association, Thursday, October 2 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 423
• Andy Prinzing (Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition), Thursday, October 9 from 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall 
  *part of the Anne Frank Project Social Justice Festival
• Peaceprints of WNY, Thursday, October 16 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 423
• Keynote speaker Ted Conover, Tuesday, October 21 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 423

All events are open to the entire Buffalo State community at no cost as well as members of the surrounding community. The series is sponsored by the Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and English Departments, as well as with the assistance of the School of Education and Applied Professions’ Dean’s Office.

Center: Ted Conover; clockwise from top left: Deanna Quinn Miller; Andy Prinzing; Gary Craig; Corey McCarthy

Photos courtesy of speakers.