Rachel Elise Barkow

About the Author

Rachel Elise Barkow is a distinguished legal scholar and professor at New York University School of Law, where she serves as the Segal Family Professor of Regulatory Law and Policy and director of the Center on the Administration of Criminal Law. With a deep commitment to reforming the American criminal justice system, Barkow draws on her extensive experience as a former member of the United States Sentencing Commission to critique the political forces perpetuating mass incarceration. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical policy advocacy, urging a shift toward evidence-based approaches that prioritize fairness and rehabilitation over punitive excess. Through her influential writings and public engagements, Barkow continues to shape national conversations on justice reform, advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of over-incarceration and promote a more equitable society.