NYC DSA-backed Assembly candidate supports keeping child molesters, murderers out of prison
Conrad Blackburn, a Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate for the New York Assembly, advocates for sending convicted rapists, child molesters, and murderers to treatment programs instead of prison. He argues that incarceration does not address the root causes of crime and suggests alternatives like community supervision. Critics have condemned his views, claiming they undermine public safety in Harlem.
- ▪Conrad Blackburn is running for a state Assembly seat in Harlem and is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
- ▪He believes that serious offenders should be sent to treatment programs rather than prison, even if they are guilty of heinous crimes.
- ▪Critics, including former City Councilwoman Inez Dickens, argue that his views could make communities less safe.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro exclusive NYC DSA-backed Assembly candidate supports keeping child molesters, murderers out of prison By Rich Calder Published May 23, 2026, 8:00 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google A Democratic Socialists of America-backed public defender running for a state Assembly seat in Harlem wants to send convicted rapists, child molesters and murderers to “treatment programs” instead of prisons. Conrad Blackburn, who is trying to unseat first-term incumbent Assemblyman Jordan Wright, insisted during a March 2024 podcast appearance that locking people up isn’t the answer — even if they’re convicted for serious crimes like “predatory sexual assaults of children” and homicide.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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